Argentina vs France Olympics: France Knocks Out Argentina as Mateta Wins Grudge Match
Argentina vs France Olympics: France Knocks Out Argentina as Mateta Wins Grudge Match Would it ever have been possible for this match to pass without incident? The warning signs were evident from the moment France and Argentina were unexpectedly drawn against each other in the Olympic quarter-finals. As the match reached its final moments, the simmering tensions erupted into a full-blown brawl, with the conflict spilling from the pitch into the tunnel, as players from both teams ran to continue the altercation indoors.
France emerged victorious, and the win was especially sweet for them. The joy of their triumph, particularly evident in the post-match red card handed to midfielder Enzo Millot for apparently taunting the Argentine bench, seemed to enrage the Argentine players further. By that point, chaos had already taken hold, with nearly every player from both sides caught up in the fracas, and Alexandre Lacazette having to be physically restrained from seeking another confrontation. Deciphering exactly who said what would require a team of detectives, but it was clear that France intended to make a resounding statement.
“Argentina tried to spoil the celebration, but they only made it better,” remarked Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose early header proved to be the match-winner. Mateta joined his teammates in jubilant celebration once the dust had settled, their elation clearly amplified by the reaction of the losing team.
The incident was rooted in a prior controversy involving a song sung by several of Argentina’s Copa América-winning players, which singled out French players of African descent. This provoked a significant international incident and hurt feelings in France, a country proud of its diverse heritage. The French footballers were determined to defend their country and its values.
“It was an important match because we felt insulted; all of France felt insulted, and we ended up winning the game,” said Loïc Badé, the Sevilla centre-back. During the intense final minutes of the match, Badé confronted Argentina’s Lucas Beltrán, his aggressive actions and words clearly signaling the simmering hostility. It was no surprise when the situation deteriorated into chaos.
“It was nothing; we just celebrated and they didn’t like it,” Badé maintained with a straight face. “They insulted us throughout the game. I couldn’t understand them because they were speaking Spanish, but their gestures were clear.”
Post-match, Millot, who will miss the semi-final against Egypt due to his suspension, claimed the grim atmosphere of the game had “given us a boost.” France’s energetic start was matched by their fans, who jeered during Argentina’s national anthem and booed when the Argentine players’ names were announced. Julián Álvarez and Nicolás Otamendi, who had been part of the Copa América squad, were notably targeted.
Both Álvarez and Otamendi struggled against the intense pressure from France, particularly from Michael Olise, who played a key role in France’s opening goal. Olise won a corner in the fifth minute and delivered it perfectly for Mateta, who scored with a superb finish past Gerónimo Rulli.
Mateta, whose father hails from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was a fitting scorer for the French team, which demonstrated relentless energy, with Manu Koné setting a particularly aggressive tone. Argentina had their chances to equalize, notably with a missed opportunity by Giuliano Simeone and a poorly executed effort by Beltrán that left manager Javier Mascherano, who was also booked for his own contentious behavior, visibly frustrated. Despite a frenetic end and a VAR decision disallowing another Olise goal, Argentina’s attempts to level the score were unconvincing overall.
The contrast between the chaos in Bordeaux and a quieter handball match earlier in Paris, which had seen France defeat Argentina 28-21, was striking. The handball crowd had expressed mild disapproval when Argentina’s names were announced, but the PA announcer’s attempt to foster a positive atmosphere was only somewhat successful.
In Bordeaux, however, the noise was deafening. Thierry Henry, reflecting on the match, criticized Millot’s provocative behavior but felt that overall, his players could have managed their emotions better to protect their lead. Nonetheless, this was not a night meant for restraint. France had made their statement loudly and clearly.
