PARIS — Spain continued its enduring dominance of international soccer in incredible fashion on Friday, claiming the men's Olympic gold medal with a frenetic, frenetic 5-3 overtime victory over France in a match that featured just about everything.
There was an early deficit, a spirited turnaround, a squandered two-goal lead, a dramatic French stoppage-time penalty from VAR and, ultimately, Spanish superiority when it mattered most to leave French coach Thierry Henry, as well as a passionate home crowd at the Parc des Princes, absolutely crushed.
“I'm very happy because our players sacrificed a lot to be here,” said Spain coach Santi Denia, “and they deserve to win the gold medal.”
French legend Henry said: “Obviously this wasn't the result we wanted, but we won a medal.”
He added: “It wasn't easy putting this team together, but I'm proud of the work we did.”
The match was a classic that needs to be re-watched right now, the highest-scoring men's final in Olympic history. Substitute Sergio Camello ultimately decided the match, collecting a beautiful pass from Adrian Bernabe in the 100th minute and curling a soft chip over the onrushing goalkeeper, sparking a wild celebration from the Spanish players as Henry turned around in the technical area and the French players stood by watching.
The surprise was understandable, as it looked like they would pull off a magical comeback to take gold in their country's capital. Instead, it was Spain, once again, who emerged on the podium. Fermin Lopez scored twice, Alex Baena also converted a free-kick and Camello added a second, with France pressing hard just before the end of the match.
“We are the happiest children in the world,” Camello told reporters afterward.
The Olympic gold, which is Spain's first since the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, follows Spanish trophies at the men's European Championships earlier this summer as well as the women's World Cup a year ago.
Add in last month's men's and women's European Under-19 championship titles (not to mention the men's and women's Champions League trophies for Spanish clubs this season) and the football world is clearly under almost total Spanish siege.
“I don't think there's any secret,” Denia said. “You have to choose the right players. You have to become a family. You have to leave egos behind and everyone has to work as a team.”
Whatever the recipe, it is working for Spain, although the French were intent on bucking the trend. After being booed off the pitch at half-time while trailing 3-1, France had hammered the Spanish goal again and again without reward before finally pulling a goal back eleven minutes from the end of normal time.
Michael Olise fired a free-kick from the flank towards goal which deflected off Maghnes Akliouche and into the bottom corner to reduce the deficit to just one.
Then, from a corner in the 89th minute, Juan Miranda brought down Arnaud Kalimuendo at the far post. The ball had gone well over them and the referee initially dismissed the French protests, but once the VAR suggested an on-field review, the French fans leapt to their feet in anticipation.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, wearing the captain's armband after Alexandre Lacazette was substituted before the hour mark as France sought renewed energy, calmly took the penalty and France earned another 30 minutes.
Of course, getting to that point was a nightmare. After trailing when Arnau Tenas missed a terrific shot from Enzo Millot in the 12th minute, Spain turned the game around completely midway through the first half. In just 10 minutes, Barcelona's wonderkid Lopez scored twice while Baena curled a wonderful free-kick over the wall to stun the French fans, who included France coach Didier Deschamps and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Deschamps could be seen burying his head in his hands as France forced their way through, but the French managed to get back into the game, going ahead in first-half stoppage time before continuing to press throughout the second period.
Once they reached extra time with the momentum fully in their favour, it seemed like a comeback was inevitable. But then, in an instant, it happened: Bernabé dropped his shoulder. Camello ran. And the Spaniards danced together once more.
“It's an incredible dream come true,” said forward Abel Ruiz. “Winning gold here is something that means a lot to all of us. Over the past few weeks, we've been fighting and working towards our dream, so we're very, very proud.”
