Hosts France will face Argentina in the Olympic men’s football quarter-finals after clinching their spot with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the opener in the 19th minute, and despite a resilient defensive effort from New Zealand, second-half goals from Désiré Doué and Arnaud Kalimuendo secured the win.
France dominated the match with 34 shots, compared to New Zealand’s nine, and finished the group stage undefeated, having won all three of their matches, including victories over the United States and Guinea.
The upcoming quarter-final match between France and Argentina is set against a backdrop of recent tensions.
Reports suggest that Argentine players sang a disrespectful song about France’s black players after winning the Copa America on July 14.
This has upset French fans, who showed their displeasure by booing Argentina’s rugby sevens players during the Olympics.
Argentina’s path to the quarter-finals included a controversial loss to Morocco in their opening match, followed by a 3-1 win over Iraq and a 2-0 victory over Ukraine, which secured their spot in the last eight.
Historically, France won the Olympic gold medal in 1984, while Argentina secured the title in 2004 and defended it successfully in 2008.
The quarter-final match is set to be a high-stakes clash between these two footballing giants.
The eagerly awaited game will be held at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux on Friday, August 2, 2024.
