France - Argentina summary: score, goals and highlights | Quarter-finals Olympics soccer
France vs Argentina: as it happened
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Argentina's bid for a third Olympic title is over. Jean-Philippe Mateta's early header is enough to send France into the semi-finals, where they'll meet Egypt.
The French had to ride their luck at times - Giuliano Simeone and Lucas Beltrán were guilty of particularly glaring misses for the Argentinians - but they are now one step away from next Friday's final.
When is France vs Egypt?
France will face the Egyptians, who today eliminated Paraguay on penalties, on Monday August 5 at the Stade de Lyon. Kick-off is at 3pm ET/12 noon PT. Be sure to join us for live-text coverage of that semi-final, as well as the last-four clash between Morocco and Spain earlier in the day.
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Peeep peeep peep! France have won it!
Ilgiz Tantashev blows his final whistle - and right away, it's kicking off between the two sets of players.
I didn't see exactly what lit the blue-touch paper there, though it's true that there have been a few tackles throughout the night that have slightly bordered on indecorous.
Peace seems to be restored, but then people start sprinting towards a flare-up happening out of shot in the tunnel.
Mateta hits the bar!
From the left, Akliouche - who really should be keeping this in the corner - feeds it into Mateta in the box
Mateta strikes with his left, but his effort comes back off the woodwork!
One last Argentina attack. Otamendi nods it down for Beltrán on the penalty spot... but he's dispossessed.
Oh, wow. Beltrán really should score there.
Receiving a low cross at the right-hand post, the substitute has plenty of space to finish from 10 yards or so out.
His first-time finish flies high, however! Over on the touchline, Mascherano has his head in his hands.
Again France breathe a sigh of relief.
Cutting in from the left, Simeone tries to whip a shot into Restes' far top corner - but just gets too much height on his strike.
When the ball is clipped into the France area, it falls right to Otamendi, who is in space on the left-hand side of the box.
Just he's about to chest it down and shoot, Olise is there to nip it off his toes. Huge cheers from the home fans.
Ah, and Otamendi was offside, anyway.
France make another change, replacing Millot with Songoutou Mangassa.
Now Gondou strikes from the left, from an acute angle. Restes covers his near post well and blocks with his legs.
From the right, Argentina lift it high into the France area.
Otamendi rises highest to meet it at the back of the box, but can't turn it goalwards. The ball drops to Echeverri, who drops a shoulder and shoots from 25 yards - but fires well over.
There will be 10 minutes of time added on.
Argentina have made two changes, bringing Echeverri and Luján on for Medina and García.
Right away, France come back in search of a second once more.
It's worked to Akliouche in the left-hand channel, but his first-time ball into Mateta is off target.
Goal disallowed!
And Akliouche is booked.
Ah, hold on. The referee is going to come across to the monitor, to look at a challenge by Akliouche as he turned the ball Olise's way.
He does appear to catch his man.
Goal! France 2-0 Argentina - that will surely be that!
The hosts are two to the good, and that must be the end of Argentina!
Kalimuendo does very well on the right, twisting away from danger and feeding it inside to Ackiouche.
He, in turn, feeds it inside to Olise - who fires it into the corner, via a touch off Otamendi's boot!
Joaquín García is booked, for an offence that I must admit I missed.
Having snuffed out an Argentina attack, France work it quickly forwards to Kalimuendo on the right.
With the home fans egging him on, he surges towards the byline and wins a corner.
It comes to nought, but France win it back swiftly. I'm starting to feel like Argentina have run out of steam.
A double substitution for France, who are now 10 minutes - plus added time - from the semi-finals. Chotard is off for Maghnes Akliouche, andLacazette makes way for Arnaud Kalimuendo.
From the left, Almada whips in a corner towards the penalty spot, but it's headed away.
It's lifted back into the French box from the opposite wing, but Otamendi can only direct his header behind and out towards the corner flag. A welcome goal kick for the hosts.
Argentina replace Soler, himself a substitute, with an attacker in Luciano Gondou.
Beltrán pulls the ball down on the right, before driving towards the byline.
Badé comes across to meet him, and just nudges him off the ball with a firm shoulder. Beltrán wants a free-kick, but he doesn't get one. He's on a booking, remember, so has to keep his protests to a minimum.
Ah, that's a shame.
Mateta does very well on the left to control it and feed it square to Lacazette, who has space to push forward.
Lacazette has Olise to his right, but waits a shade too long to play the ball through to him. When he finally does release it, Olise knows his offside and hesitates to go for it. The chance is lost.
On the left, Soler tries to clip a ball into the box, but succeeds only in finding Restes.
France are finding some decent attacking spaces now, as Argentina push forward in search of an equaliser.
Les Bleus work it right to Olise, just inside the Argentinian box. He gets it out of his feet and tries to send a low shot towards goal, but is finally closed down.
Blimey. Mateta is this close to scoring exactly the same goal twice.
From the right, Olise whips a corner into the near post. Mateta is there to meet it, but can't keep it down!
At the other end, France respond by working it to Mateta at the top of the Argentina 'D'. He tries to thread a cute little ball into Lacazette's run into the area, but he can't find his team-mate.
Lacazette gives away a free-kick for being rather too physical in his attempts to get on the end of that ball.
And there's another let-off for the French!
Peeling off towards the back of the box, Álvarez pulls the ball down with space to get a strike away from 12 yards or so.
The bouncing ball sits up nicely for him to strike, but he blazes it over! A really good chance for Álvarez.
Twenty-five minutes remaining in Bordeaux. France are rather hanging on now.
France replace Truffert, who appears to have hurt himself, with Bradley Locko.
Argentina also make a change, replacing Zenón with Lucas Beltrán.
As I mentioned a couple of minutes ago, Beltrán is already on a yellow, having been booked for dissent while still on the bench.
From the top of the box, Simeone tries to dink a ball into the middle.
It's headed away, but France are dropping further and further back. As an England fan, I can tell you from bitter experience that this doesn't tend to work out too well.
Lucas Beltrán was the Argentina substitute who was booked a few minutes ago, incidentally.
Back come Argentina, Almada advancing towards the edge of the France area.
He lets fly with a shot, but it bounces straight back off a French leg.
Fernández then tries to barrel his way into the penalty box, but slips and falls over. Cue wahey-style cheers from the home supporters.
On the right-hand side, Álvarez receives on the corner of the French box.
Turning back outside of the box, he cuts into a yard of shooting space and curls an effort towards the far post... but Restes gathers with relative ease.
The referee comes across to the touchline and books Mascherano, for giving him a little bit too much lip. Loud cheers ring out throughout the Stade de Bordeaux.
A moment earlier, the Mr Tantashev had also shown a yellow card to someone else on the Argentinian dugout. I must confess I didn't catch who the recipient was.
Back comes Koné for France, running right at a back-pedalling Argentina defence.
He gets to the edge of the French area, before finally being dispossessed.
Argentina's Medina is booked, for a late challenge on Lukeba.
Just as I say that, France win the ball back and get Koné haring across the halfway line, with space ahead of him.
He can't find the right pass, though.
The possession count now stands at 69% for Argentina, per the latest Opta stats available to me. They've had pretty much all of the ball since the break, certainly.
Álvarez takes... and plops it into to the French wall.
Argentina begin the second half on the front foot.
Just outside of the France box, Almada plays a one-two with Álvarez, but can't do anything with it. The ball falls back to Álvarez, however, and he's upended by Lacazette.
It's right, right on the edge of the box.
There's a half-time change to tell you about: Argentina have replaced Di Cesare with Julio Soler.
Peeep!
The teams are back out in Bordeaux, and we're underway once more.
PASCAL GUYOT / AFP
Egypt await France or Argentina in semi-finals
It's all over at the Stade de Marseille!
After it ended 1-1, Egypt have clinched a semi-final spot by beating the Paraguayans 5-4 on penalties.
Having scored the equaliser, Ibrahim Adel netted the winning spot-kick.
ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP
France's Jean-Philippe Mateta (L) celebrates with Alexandre Lacazette after scoring the hosts' first-half goal against Argentina.
Egypt vs Paraguay to be settled from spot
In Marseille, Egypt and Paraguay's quarter-final tie has now gone to penalties.
A reminder that the winner will face France or Argentina in the semi-finals.
Peeep peeep peeep! France lead through Mateta's early header.
The hosts were dominant for the first 25 minutes or so, but Argentina began to impose themselves on the game in the latter stages of the first 45.
Simeone had the Argentinians' best chance to level, but headed over when it seemed harder to miss.
On the right, García lifts it across the face of the French goal, but it runs through to Olise.
He brings it forward for France, who eventually work it left to Chotard. He tries to play it into Millot, but it bounces off him. The loose ball almost drops right into Truffert's path, but Rulli darts off his line to get there first.
Truffert hurts himself as he goes for the ball, and as Argentina bring it clear, the referee stops play. Otamendi is far from impressed about the stoppage, and lets Mr Tantashev know.
Three minutes of time added on in Bordeaux.
That's better in attack from France, whose forward threat has faded in the closing stages of the first half.
Olise releases Mateta with a low through ball, allowing the striker to advance towards the right-hand byline. He turns it high into the middle, where Olise has scampered forward in search of a return, but Rulli comes off his line and claims.
ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP
France goalkeeper Guillaume Restes saves Ezequiel Fernández's long-range shot for Argentina.
Koné is booked for scything down Medina.
He'll miss the semi-final if France get there.
On the left, Mateta runs onto a long hoof forward, collecting the ball just shy of the byline.
He waits for reinforcements... before the referee blows his whistle for offside. Mateta is adjudged to have been off. The replay rather suggests he wasn't.
Back come Argentina. On the right-hand side of the box, Almada tries to wriggle his way into space to turn the ball into the danger area.
He can't, and Lacazette finally wins a free-kick. France clear.
Argentina have a much greater degree of control over this tie now. I make it that it's been a good 10 minutes or so since the French truly threatened in attack.
What a chance for Argentina!
On the left of the box, Medina is on the turf but somehow manages to hook the ball over to the opposite post.
It drops to Simeone, who has acres of space and must surely score... but doesn't! He heads over!
Mateta tussles for a high ball with Amione, who flops to the turf in apparent life-threatening agony.
Mateta is deemed guilty of excessive arm-flailing, and the referee, Uzbekistan's Ilgiz Tantashev, brandishes a yellow card in the striker's direction. Mateta is in disbelief.
Argentina are starting to get a better foothold in attack.
It's still 1-1 between Egypt and Paraguay, by the way. That game is now heading into the second half of extra time.
From the left, Zenón delivers a corner kick that finds the head of Otamendi. He can only nod it straight at Restes, though.
That's a fine save by Restes! For a moment, it looked like Fernández had levelled.
Receiving the ball on the right, Álvarez plays it inside to Fernández. He takes one touch to steady himself, before absolutely walloping it towards Restes' left-hand top corner.
The goalkeeper does very well to parry!
Having almost conceded against the run of play, France respond by creating a very decent opening.
Chotard's low, defence-splitting ball releases Truffert on the left. He pings a ball into the danger area, where it's momentarily cleared.
The ball then loops into the path of Badé, whose volley hits Lacazette - and drops just wide!
Chotard delivers from the left, but Argentina get it away - and in the blink of an eye, they create their best chance of the night so far!
Zenón is released in behind the France defence... but when he reaches the edge of the area, he drags his shot across goal and past Restes' left-hand post!
Di Cesare hauls Lacazette down as the forward looks to break towards the Argentina area.
He does the old it-was-my-first-foul-guv routine, but is nonetheless deservedly booked.
Another clear opening for the French!
This time it's Mateta who pulls the ball down inside the Argentina box. From an angle on the left-hand side of the area, he gets away a cleaner strike than Millot a couple of minutes earlier - but Rulli beats out his effort!
Millot is almost in for France's second!
On the right, Mateta thunders forward into a crossing position, before fizzing the ball into the middle.
He finds Millot, who can't quite sort his feet out. He tries to beat Rulli with a backheel, but can't.
At the other end, it's lifted high into the France box, where Álvarez and Simeone are both waiting at the back post. Neither can pull it down, however, and the chance is lost.
Koné does excellently to dispossess Almada just outside the France box, before launching a quick break.
He feeds Lacazette, who advances towards the Argentinian byline. Di Cesare does well to marshal the veteran, though, and the South Americans will clear.
ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP
France's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates after opening the scoring in Bordeaux.
A reminder that Javier Mascherano was in the Argentina team for both of their Olympic golds, in 2004 and 2008.
He has work to do if he wants to keep alive his dream of adding gold as a coach.
Argentina enjoy a bit of time on the ball; they need to do something to stem the hosts' early momentum.
Almada clips a ball into the French box, but it's cleared. A few moments later, the Argentinians look to get Simeone onto the ball inside the home penalty area, but Restes is off his line to mop up the danger.
Egypt and Paraguay's quarter-final clash has gone to extra time, by the way.
The additional half hour has just got underway in Marseille.
What can Argentina do to respond to that?
So far, not much. Right away, it's France who are back on the ball and haring forward into the Argentina half, to roars of approval from the home supporters. Finally, the whistle goes and it's a free-kick to Argentina, who will breathe a sigh of relief and clear.
Goal! France 1-0 Argentina - Mateta gives the hosts the perfect start!
From the right, Olise whips in a lovely, left-footed corner. It's right onto the head of Mateta at the near post, where the striker glances it across Rulli and into the far corner!
France lead!
Again France get Olise on the ball in a dangerous area, on the right-hand flank.
He runs at Amione, who is forced to knock the ball behind for a corner.
Argentina have most of the ball in the opening couple of minutes, but the decibels rise at the Stade de Bordeaux when Michael Olise drives forward, toward the South Americans' box.
Olise flops to the turf just outside the penalty area, in search of a free-kick, but doesn't get one.
Peeeep! We're underway in Bordeaux.
Two WC final starters in Argentina XI
France and Argentina’s first Olympic meeting, but at full international level they contested the World Cup final a little under two years ago.
As you’ll remember, Argentina won on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw - and two of the Albiceleste’s starters tonight, Nicolás Otamendi and Julian Álvareez, were also in the South Americans' XI in Doha.
Two other members of Argentina's line-up today, Gerónimo Rulli and Thiago Almada, were in the World Cup squad, too.
Next, we have a hearty rendition of the Marseillaise... and with that done, it's pretty much game time!
Teams out in Bordeaux!
The teams are out on the turf at the Stade de Bordeaux, where it's anthem time.
Argentina first.
Egypt level!
Hold up! Just as I post that message, Egypt equalise!
Ibrahim Adel heads home at the back post with three minutes left in Marseille!
Follow live-text commentary of Egypt vs Paraguay.
Paraguay leading Egypt with minutes to go
In Marseille, by the way, Paraguay are now on the cusp of a semi-final berth.
With just four minutes to go, they lead through Diego Gómez's 70th-minute strike.
Follow live-text coverage of the closing moments of that last-eight tie. Remember, its winner will be facing France or Argentina in the semi-finals.
Can Europe finally win another gold?
France, meanwhile, are attempting to bring an end to what has developed into quite the gold-medal drought for European nations.
The last European team to win the Olympic men’s soccer tournament was Spain, back when they hosted the Games in 1992.
Since then, Africa has won two titles, South America four, and North America one (Nigeria in 1996, Cameroon in 2000, Argentina in 2004 and 2008, Mexico in 2012, and Brazil in 2016 and 2021).
21st-century Olympic kings
If we narrow our focus to the tournaments that have happened since the turn of the millennium, Argentina have been men's Olympic soccer's joint-most successful nation.
Only Brazil, who won the event in 2016 and 2021, have equalled the Albiceleste's tally of two gold medals.
The most recent of Hungary's titles came in 1968; Britain, meanwhile, haven’t won the Olympic men’s soccer competition since all the way back in 1912.
Thaier Al-Sudani / REUTERS
Can Argentina go level with Hungary, GB?
While France are chasing their second men’s Olympic gold, Argentina are out to become the tournament’s joint-most decorated country at the Paris Games.
The South Americans are two-time winners, having secured successive golds in 2004 and 2008
That leaves Argentina only one win behind the competition’s most successful countries, Hungary and Great Britain.
What is France and Argentina's Olympic H2H record?
France and Argentina are meeting for first time ever in the Olympic men’s soccer tournament.
Indeed, the French have not faced South American opposition of any description at the Games since 1984, when they won their only men’s soccer gold so far.
In Los Angeles 40 years ago, France beat Brazil 2-0 in the gold-medal match.
How did Argentina qualify for quarter-finals?
Meanwhile, Argentina recovered from a chaotic, controversial opening defeat to Morocco to finish second in Group B.
After that 2-1 reverse to the Moroccans, the Albiceleste secured six points by beating Iraq 3-1 and Ukraine 2-0. In the end, the Argentinians were only denied top spot by virtue of Morocco's superior head-to-head record.
And, as Argentina's senior side showed at the 2022 World Cup, losing your first game isn't necessarily the worst omen...
How did France qualify for quarter-finals?
As Mascherano noted below, France are yet to concede a goal in the 2024 men’s Olympic soccer tournament.
The hosts topped Group A with maximum points: after opening up with a 3-0 win over the USA, Thierry Henry’s men saw off Guinea 1-0, before completing their 100% group stage with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand.
Thaier Al-Sudani / REUTERS
What the coaches said: Javier Mascherano, Argentina
"France is a very physical opponent. They've won all three games and they haven't conceded a goal. If you're careless, they'll make you pay for your mistakes. We're going to have to play a very demanding game defensively."
(Quote via FIFA.com)
NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
What the coaches said: Thierry Henry, France
“A new tournament now begins. Right now, for example, we haven’t conceded a single goal at the tournament. You could concede one in the quarter-final, then you’re out. We need to stay composed and focused.”
(Quote via FIFA.com)
France line-up confirmed
Thierry Henry's France XI is also out. Les Bleus will line up thusly:
Argentina line-up confirmed
Argentina head coach Javier Mascherano has named his team to take on the French. It is:
M. Reino / EFE
Morocco and Spain rampant in QF triumphs
In the first of today’s four quarter-finals, Morocco surged into the semi-finals with a 4-0 victory over the USA at the Parc des Princes, thanks to goals by Soufiane Rahimi, Illias Akhomach, Achraf Hakimi and El Mehdi Maouhoub.
Here’s what my colleague Will Gittins made of the US’s Moroccan mauling in Paris.
Spain then set up a last-four meeting with their neighbours by dispatching Japan 3-0 at the Stade de Lyon. Fermin López was on the scoresheet twice for the Spaniards, before Abel Ruiz made sure of the win with a late strike.
First semi-final set
We may be awaiting the identity of the second set of semi-finalists, but we do now know who’ll be facing who in the tournament’s opening last-four tie.
After both sweeping to victory in today’s first two quarter-finals, Morocco and Spain will face off for a place in the gold-medal match.
That semi-final will be played at 12 noon ET/9am PT on Monday August 5, at the Stade de Marseille.
Egypt and Paraguay have just reached half time in their quarter-final tie in Marseille, where it remains goalless.
Who will France or Argentina face in semi-finals?
For the winner of today’s match-up at Stade de Bordeaux, a semi-final match-up with either Egypt or Paraguay will be the prize.
That last-four clash is scheduled to take place on Monday August 5.
A clash between favourites from the gold
And you don’t just have to take it from me that this is the most box-office of the last-eight games at the Olympics.
The bookmakers evidently agree: they have installed France as the frontrunners to win the gold medal a week from today, while Argentina are the third favourites, behind Spain.
Per Oddschecker, France are priced at between +160 and +230 to secure gold on August 9, while Argentina are rated at +400 to +500.
France vs Argentina: welcome!
Hello! In the final quarter-final tie of the men’s soccer tournament, we have the biggest-name of all the clashes. Hosts France take on Argentina in Bordeaux, where kick-off is at 3pm ET/12 noon PT.