Fayez Hoda, Pune
After coming off the bench, Sergio Camello scored two vital goals in extra time to help Spain defeat France 5-3 and win the gold medal in the Olympics.
After France had taken the lead through Enzo Millot in a thrilling first half, Fermin Lopez scored twice and Alex Baena scored once for Spain, which grabbed control after just ten minutes. Despite this loss, Maghnes Akliouche set the tone for a thrilling finish at the Parc des Princes. After Benat Turrientes fouled in the 93rd minute, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late penalty forced extra time.
But after a foul by Benat Turrientes in the 93rd minute, Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s penalty forced extra time, setting up an exciting finish at the Parc des Princes, which was set up by Maghnes Akliouche.
Both teams went all out in the extra session, but Camello prevailed, giving Spain the gold with a breakaway second and an incredible lob.
Millot gave the home team an early lead when he took advantage of a poor clearance and fired a shot from the right side of the box. The ball appeared to be misjudged by Spain’s goalkeeper Arnau Tenas, who palmed it into the lower-left corner.
But, Spain quickly responded through the Barcelona youth player Lopez, who was found in the center of the area by Baena and stroked his finish into the bottom-left corner.
Spain’s two goals in the following ten minutes were inspired by that first goal. Lopez scored his second to put them ahead 2-1 after Guillaume Restes was unable to stop Abel Ruiz’s shot. Next came Baena’s goal that won the match. Set up slightly to the left of the defensive line, the Villarreal player sent a magnificent effort over the wall and into the top-left corner, giving Restes absolutely no chance.
Les Bleus’ hopes were rekindled with 11 minutes remaining when Akliouche headed Michael Olise’s free-kick into the far corner. Manu Kone had missed a great chance to reduce Spain’s lead by nodding against the crossbar after halftime.
In stoppage time, Turrientes unceremoniously hauled Arnaud Kalimuendo down from a corner, causing even more action. Mateta calmly leveled the score, but Turrientes came dangerously close with a spectacular goal that sailed over the bar.