PARIS, August 6, 2024 - Paris has not been a lucky host for France in men’s Olympic football. In 1900 they were runners-up to Great Britain – albeit only three teams entered – and 100 years ago they crashed 5-1 to Uruguay in the quarter-finals. But on Friday they can rewrite their Paris Games history against Spain.

Both teams tormented their fans by making hard work of the last, semi-final hurdle on the way to the Parc des Princes. Spain conceded the opening goal in Marseille before recovering to beat Morocco 2-1 then France were taken to extra time before overcoming the 10 men of Egypt 3-1.

The French hero in Lyon was forward Jean-Philipp Mateta. The 27-year-old, one of three permitted-over-age players in an under-23 tournament, scored twice to turn the game around. Mateta, from English Premier League Crystal Palace, said: “This was the night of my dreams. But I need one more night now to keep dreaming. Tonight was for the fans. They kept chanting even after we went behind.”

Egypt were contesting their third Olympic semi-final and pursuing a place in the final for the first time. They had the better of the first half and deserved the opening goal from Mahmoud Saber in the 62nd minute. Time was running out when Mateta levelled on an assist from Michael Olise, his former Palace team-mate who is about to join Bayern Munich.

The match turned decisively in favour of France early In extra time when Egypt were reduced to 10 men. Defender Omar Fayed was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a panicky foul on substitute Desire Doue.  Fayed had only himself to blame. His first yellow card had been for dissent after a first-half penalty award which was rescinded following a VAR review.

Mateta capitalised on defensive confusion to head France in front in the 99^th minute and Olise struck a third three minutes into the second half. Egypt, their nerves fraying, will thus contest the bronze medal playoff against their fellow Africans from Morocco in Nantes on Thursday.

Morocco, like Egypt hours, took the lead in their semi-final in Marseille before falling 2-1 to Spain. The Tokyo silver medallists reached their second successive Olympic men’s final courtesy of second-half goals from Fermin Lopez and Juanlu Sanchez.

The Atlas Lions threatened to improve on their seniors’ semi-final appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by opening the scoring in the 37th minute with a penalty from Soufiane Rahimi. The tournament’s top scorer struck his sixth goal after a Pablo Barrios foul. The 28-year-old Al Ain striker has netted for Morocco in every match at the Games.

The first half had to be extended because referee Ilgiz Tantashev had to be replaced by fourth official Glenn Nyberg after being injured in a collision with a Spanish player.

Spain were more dangerous after the break and equalised in the 66th minute when Barcelona’s Fermin, who had scored twice in the quarter-finals against Japan, punished poor Moroccan defending. Substitute Juanlu delivered the winner five minutes from time.