Spain secured the gold medal in the 2024 Olympic men's football competition after substitute Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time, clinching a dramatic 5-3 victory over hosts France in a nail-biting Paris Summer Games final at Parc des Princes on Friday.
The match was tied at 3-3 at the end of regulation time. Camello's first goal came 10 minutes into the extra period, followed by a second near the end, sealing Spain's first Olympic men's football title since 1992, when La Roja won gold in Barcelona.
France mounted an incredible comeback, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to level the score. Maghnes Akliouche pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, and a VAR review awarded the hosts a penalty, which Jean-Philippe Mateta converted in stoppage time.
Spain dominated the first half after France's Enzo Millot opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Spain responded with a Fermin Lopez double and a superb free-kick from Alex Baena, bringing the score to 3-2 by halftime.
Spain coach Santi Denia praised his team's performance, saying, \"It is something beautiful, but above all I'm happy for the players, for the way they achieved the win. It was an amazing match against a high-level French team. I'm proud also of the model of play we represent.\"
In extra time, with Spain already having substituted Lopez and Baena, Camello emerged as the hero by lobbing the ball over the French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes and securing the victory with a second goal after a brilliant save.
Baena added, \"(Camello) has been a hard worker since day one, he deserved his double. He knew he was going to be a substitute but ended being the most important player for us and found a reward. I wish the summer never ends. I'm so happy I get to make history with Spain. To win you have to suffer, especially against France in France.\"
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Camello's brace nets Spain football gold over France 5-3 in extra time
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