France made its statement loud and clear, thoroughly embraced by a lively crowd eager to witness the Argentine team being put in their place. Given the racism controversy surrounding this quarter-final, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s early goal not only secured victory but also carried significant weight.
Mateta, whose father hails from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, embodies the essence of being French, just like the rest of his teammates who left no grass unturned during a tense and thrilling encounter.
Earlier, a similar match had played out on the handball court in Paris. While handball may not address broader issues like football, it is quite popular in France, with national icons like the Karabatic brothers and a diverse men’s team reigning as Olympic champions. Consequently, a few boos echoed when Argentina’s players were introduced.
The public address announcer aimed to defuse any hostility and maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, stating, “Handball is not a sport to boo; it’s a fair game. So let’s hear some support for Argentina, come on!” A portion of the crowd responded politely. France went on to secure an easy 28-21 victory.
Fast forward nine hours and 300 miles southwest, the atmosphere for the arrival of France’s opponents was markedly different. This match could only occur because Argentina finished second in Group B, a situation the organizers likely would have preferred to avoid, as Olympic men’s football typically seeks a low profile.
Upon Argentina’s warm-up, the crowd expressed their displeasure freely, intensifying when their starting lineup was announced. Julián Álvarez and Nicolás Otamendi, among the Copa América winners, bore the brunt of the audience’s ire. A recent song by several Argentine players targeting France’s players of African descent contributed to international tensions and hurt feelings across a nation that draws strength from its diversity.
Thus, when Mateta struck early, it was a moment to remember. Argentina’s anthem was largely drowned out by jeers, while a near-capacity crowd passionately rallied behind France. The home side aggressively confronted their opponents; Michael Olise was instrumental in their attacks, proving too quick for those defending. In the fifth minute, he earned a corner and sent it into the box where his former teammate at Crystal Palace perfectly timed his run to head the ball beyond Gerónimo Rulli.
As the match began, the local supporters swayed to Non, je ne regrette rien. Argentina might regret that the French players were so energized, with Enzo Millot nearly netting one before Rulli bravely saved Mateta’s close-range attempt. Occasional tensions emerged on the field, as Otamendi and Mateta exchanged words and Kevin Zenón brought down Millot.
By half-time, Argentina had started to find their rhythm and had opportunities to equalize, with Ezequiel Fernández forcing a spectacular save from Guillaume Restes and Giuliano Simeone missing a close-range header.
The presence of celebrated managers Thierry Henry and Javier Mascherano added extra interest to this match, a distinct contrast within a traditionally mismatched tournament, with Henry particularly eager to achieve success to enhance his nascent coaching career.
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Another veteran, Alexandre Lacazette, still contributed on the field but put France at risk by fouling Joaquín García just outside the box early in the second half. Álvarez struck the wall with the free-kick, and every error from Argentina was met with resounding glee from the crowd.
Loud cheers followed when Mascherano, showing that old habits die hard, received a yellow card for dissent; a group of substitutes warming up further down the touchline had already tested the referee’s patience, Ilgiz Tantashev. A subtle tension lingered, hinting at a rivalry that ran deeper than mere competition.
As the game progressed, the intensity diminished. France’s early momentum faded after the hour mark, with Argentina struggling to find their footing, as exemplified by Álvarez’s erratic shot. The atmosphere dulled as Mexican waves swept the stands.
However, the noise levels rose once again when France’s centre-back, Loïc Badé, gave Lucas Beltrán a tough time and leaned over him, clearly taunting him. The game intensified as the clock wound down, with Olise having a goal ruled out by VAR and France navigating through a frantic 10 minutes of added time.
