Spain bagged its first Olympic gold medal in men's football since 1992, with a thrilling 5-3 victory over host France in the Paris 2024 finals.
Spain would not be denied Olympic glory in men’s football this time around.
After losing to Brazil in extra time in the Tokyo 2020 final, Spain captured the gold medal in Paris 2024 after a thrilling 5-3 victory over host France at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, August 10 (Philippine time).
Sergio Camello delivered Spain’s second Olympic gold medal in men’s football after scoring in the 100th minute and 120th minute.
The last time Spain won the Olympic football gold was 32 years ago in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
It took 120 minutes for the Spanish squad to bring home the gold after seeing their 3-1 lead slip away.
France was on the board first after their perfect start to the final behind Enzo Millot’s 11th-minute goal.
Spain, however, would not go down that easily. In the 17th minute, Fermin Lopez scored his fifth goal in the tournament to equalize the match at 1-1.
The Spaniards eventually took the lead in the 25th minute after Juan Miranda's beautiful cross to Abel Ruiz, whose shot bounced off French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, but right there to follow up the shot was Lopez, scoring his second goal in the final.
In the 28th minute, Baena made it 3-1 for Spain after curling in a perfect free kick just outside the box.
Just when all hope seemed lost for France, the hosts managed to score two goals in the second half to force extra time.
The first goal came in the 79th minute after a free kick whipped in by Michael Olise found Maghnes Akliouche, who got the decisive touch to put the ball inside the net.
The game-tying kick arrived in the 90th minute after Juan Miranda brought down Manu Kone during a corner kick, which resulted in a VAR review and later a penalty.
With all eyes on him, Jean-Philippe Mateta calmly converted the penalty to even the match at 3-3, forcing extra time, which ultimately went to Spain.
In women’s football, Germany took home the bronze medal after a narrow 1-0 win over world champions Spain.
The lone goal came in the 64th minute after Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll knocked down Guilia Gwinn for a penalty.
The Bayern Munich defender picked herself up and confidently converted the penalty.
In the final moments of the match, drama ensued when a foul in the box gave Spain a last-second opportunity to equalize with their own penalty after Lucia Garcia was brought down in the area.
However, Spanish captain Alexia Putellas's penalty was brilliantly stopped by German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
Shortly after, the final whistle was blown as Germany celebrated another Olympic medal in women’s football after bagging gold in Rio 2016.