PARIS — Hosts France reached the Olympic men's football semi-finals for the first time in 40 years with a 1-0 win over Argentina thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-half goal in a grudge match in Bordeaux on Friday.
France will face Egypt for a place in the final and Morocco meet Spain in the other semi.
France vs Argentina fight after the game
¡EL PARTIDO ACABÓ EN EMPUJONES!
Jugadores de Francia y Argentina terminaron el compromiso en discusiones #OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/skbhbkLkne— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 2, 2024
Thierry Henry's France grabbed an early lead as they sought revenge in a repeat of the last World Cup final in which Argentina beat France.
Mateta opened the scoring for France after five minutes with a towering header in the six-yard box following a corner.
¡GOLAAAAZO DE FRANCIA! ¡YA SE PONEN ARRIBA!
Jean-Philippe Mateta marca de cabeza en un tiro de esquina#Francia 1-0 #Argentina
Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/v17DW8DkJN
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/taMjdpxLGH#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/dnApqwVu9U— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 2, 2024
Argentina pushed for an equalizer, but a glaring miss by Giuliano Simeone and poor finishing denied them.
¡ERA LA OPORTUNIDAD DEL GOL!
Argentina nuevamente se quedó cerca del empate#Francia 1-0 #Argentina
Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/v17DW8DkJN
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/taMjdpxLGH#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/m2XZk149NJ— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 2, 2024
France vs Argentina full highlights
❌ ¡ARGENTINA QUEDÓ FUERA!
El anfitrión Francia se impuso con gol de Mateta y avanzó a Semifinales de #Paris2024Revive aquí lo mejor del encuentro #OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/5ve066imFd
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 2, 2024
Earlier on Friday, Egypt claimed a dramatic win on penalties over Paraguay after a 1-1 draw in regular time in Marseille.
Morocco outclassed the United States at Parc des Princes with an emphatic 4-0 win, including two penalties and a strike from Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi, to reach their first Olympic semi-finals.
Spain beat Japan 3-0 courtesy of a Fermin Lopez double and Abel Ruiz's late effort.