In a thrilling Spain 5-3 victory over host France in the Olympic men’s football final at Parc des Princes on August 9, substitute Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time to secure the gold medal.
Extra-Time Heroics and France Remarkable Comeback
The game was tied 3-3 at the end of regular playing time.. However, Camello’s goals, ten minutes into extra time and again in the final moments, gave Spain their first Olympic men’s football championship since La Roja’s gold medal win in 1992 on home soil.
After falling behind 3-1, France staged an incredible comeback to force extra time. Maghnes Akliouche equalized in the 79th minute, and a VAR review awarded the home team a penalty, which Jean-Philippe Mateta converted in stoppage time.
Spain First-Half Resurgence and Baena Magic
With a double from Fermin Lopez and a superb free kick from Alex Baena, Spain had fought back in the first half after Enzo Millot gave France the lead in the 12th minute. They scored three goals in ten minutes to come within reach of the championship.
Baena curled his free kick into the upper left corner just before the half-hour mark, but Akliouche’s close-range finish from a set piece gave France the lead 11 minutes from time.
Late Drama and Camello Decisive Goals
As Spain prepared to celebrate their victory, the drama intensified when the referee walked over to the TV screen to review a foul by Benat Turrientes on fellow substitute Arnaud Kalimuendo in the penalty area. Mateta equalized with his sixth tournament goal from the penalty spot, sending the French fans into a frenzy.
With Lopez and Baena already removed from the game, Thierry Henry’s French team pushed for the win in extra time against Spain. But Spain’s Camello scored, lobbing the ball on the run over the stranded Restes before securing the victory with a stunning stop by the keeper in the last seconds.
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