Paris 2024: Spain Seized Extra-time Comeback To Beat France To Win Gold In Men's U23 Football

Spain are the new Olympic champions of the Men's U23 tournament after coming from behind twice to defeat France in a hard-fought final that ended 5-3 for an Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games. 

The Spaniards secured their first Olympic gold medal in men's football since 1992 with Fermin Lopez and Sergio Carmello both scoring a brace to set off the comeback twice for the side in a final that stretched into extra-time. 

It was such a sensational game with four goals coming in half hour that tilted the fate of the game to Spain. Enzo Millot gave France the lead guiding home a right-footed shot down bottom left corner of the goal. Lopez Fermin dragged Spain back into the game with an equalizer before tapping home a rebound shot from Restes' save for the second goal. Another moment from a set-piece saw Spain move ahead with the third goal as Alex Baena scored from a free-kick. Restes was neatly beaten motionlessly making no effort to stop the curly shot getting past into the top corner.

France were not intending to settle for a silver medal position for losing the game, and resurged, realigned on their offensive approach the presuure paid off with Maghnes Akliouche deflecting Michael Oliseh's free-kick into the back of the net. They later equalized as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the third from a penalty given against Juan Miranda in the stoppages.  

With the game already dragged into extra-time, Spain made most of goalscoring moments as Sergio Carmello latched onto a through pass from Adrian Bernabe and took a sublime lob of the ball over on-rushing Restes for Spain's fourth goal. Thereafter, they comsolidated on the lead from a fast break led by Armau Tenas setting off Carmello for an effort that beat Restes to the goal for the Spaniards' fifth goal. 

The outcome happened to be the highest-scoring Olympic final ever even as it also marked the champions' first Olympic gold in men's football since 1992 Barcelona Games. While France finised second for silver medal, Morocco finished third for bronze after winning the third place playoff against Egypt by 6-0.  

                                                                By: Fagbohun Olumide