Fight breaks out after France beats Argentina, 1-0, securing a spot in the men’s soccer semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday. This tense match concluded with a scuffle among players immediately following the final whistle, highlighting the high stakes and emotions involved.
Shoving erupted for several minutes before officials intervened. Some French players dashed down the tunnel, only to return shortly after for a celebratory lap of honor, showcasing their resilience despite the chaos.
The atmosphere was charged, with Argentina’s squad facing relentless booing from a hostile crowd. The French fans erupted in joy when striker Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a header in the fifth minute, propelling coach Thierry Henry’s team to victory. France is set to face Egypt in the semifinals on Monday in Lyon.
Mateta celebrated alongside captain Alexandre Lacazette when the skirmish broke out. Lacazette quickly rushed back to help defuse the situation, joined by both Henry and Argentina’s coach, Javier Mascherano, who intervened to keep his staff from escalating matters.
“I went to shake the opposing coach’s hand and all of a sudden, I saw a lot of things happening,” Henry remarked, expressing his discontent with the altercation. “I don’t like seeing this kind of thing. It wasn’t necessary.”
As the French supporters continued their jubilant celebrations, stewards and riot police formed a barrier around the small contingent of Argentine fans in the stadium, ensuring safety amidst the heightened emotions.
Pre-match tensions were exacerbated by a racism scandal involving Argentine players, who were filmed singing an offensive song about French players of African descent following their Copa America victory last month.
Henry expressed frustration over Enzo Millot receiving a red card for his involvement in the post-match fracas, despite having been substituted earlier. “We didn’t want to lose a player (to suspension) but it was pointless; he wasn’t even playing (at the final whistle),” he stated.
Henry, a celebrated World Cup and European Championship winner, praised his team’s determination, stating, “Sometimes in a competition, you win with pain.”
Argentina, a two-time Olympic champion, struggled with finishing, exemplified by Luciano Gondou’s missed opportunity deep into stoppage time. The most glaring miss came from striker Giuliano Simeone, who inexplicably headed over from close range during the first half.
Tensions flared again during first-half stoppage time when Mateta approached a teammate receiving treatment in Argentina’s penalty area and was pushed away. Lacazette quickly intervened, and Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli attempted to calm the situation.
The crowd cheered when Mascherano received a yellow card, and as the second half progressed, the French fans taunted their opponents with chants of “Ils sont où les Argentins?” (Where are the Argentines?), a clear indication of their dominance on the pitch.
Argentina’s Julián Álvarez, a seasoned World Cup champion, expressed disbelief as he shot over the bar, failing to find the net throughout the tournament.
France thought they had doubled their lead late in the match, but Michael Olise’s goal was disallowed after a video review revealed a foul by midfielder Maghnes Akliouche just before the play.
France’s only Olympic title came in 1984, coinciding with their European Championship win that same year. Meanwhile, Argentina, the champions in 2004 and 2008, faced significant hostility from the Bordeaux crowd.
Prior to kickoff, the Argentine players were met with boos, and the stadium music system struggled to drown out the jeers. Their national anthem was similarly received with disdain, and the home fans continued to express their disapproval whenever an Argentine player touched the ball.
Earlier on the same day, Argentina’s handball team faced similar jeers as they entered the South Paris Arena. Last week, Argentina’s men’s rugby sevens players were subjected to constant booing during a quarterfinal match against the home team at Stade de France.
Despite the pre-match tensions, security measures remained unchanged, with local authorities confirming that the original security plan was followed. Over 400 police and gendarmerie officers were deployed, along with 100 military personnel, and drones were utilized to monitor the event.
Outside the stadium, however, the atmosphere was relaxed, with fans from both nations mingling peacefully, some proudly displaying Argentina flags or jerseys featuring soccer legend Lionel Messi.
This match was a rematch French supporters have eagerly awaited since Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout victory in the 2022 World Cup final. However, as this tournament is primarily for Under-23 teams, superstars like Messi and Kylian Mbappé were absent.
The crowd of 42,000 was predominantly French, and Bordeaux, a city with a rich soccer history, is known for its six-time championship-winning team. However, the club has faced financial difficulties, resulting in relegation to the fourth-tier amateur league.
France’s legendary player Zinedine Zidane began his illustrious career with Bordeaux, affectionately known as “Les Girondins” by soccer fans across the nation.
