Spain Clinches Olympic Gold in Thrilling Soccer Final Against France

In a dramatic showdown at the Parc des Princes, Spain triumphed over host nation France 5-3 in the men’s soccer gold medal match, marking their first Olympic title since 1992. Striker Sergio Camello emerged as the hero, scoring twice in extra time, while Fermin Lopez also netted two goals. Spain's manager, Santi Denia, expressed pride in his team's resilience, stating, "Our players sacrificed a lot to be here and they deserve to win the gold medal." The match began with an early goal from France's Enzo Millot, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Spain's Arnau Tenas. However, Spain quickly responded, with Lopez leveling the score and then taking the lead with a second goal, followed by a stunning free-kick from Alex Baena. Despite trailing 3-1 at halftime, France fought back, with Maghnes Akliouche scoring in the 79th minute to push the match into extra time. In the additional period, Camello showcased his skill, chipping the ball over French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes to secure Spain's victory. This win not only adds to Spain's recent success, following their European Championship triumph, but also ends a streak of Latin American dominance in Olympic soccer. Coach Thierry Henry acknowledged the effort of his team, despite the disappointment of falling short on home soil. Spain's victory is a testament to their collective strength, as they celebrate a historic summer in soccer, with both men's and women's teams achieving significant milestones.