In the 62nd minute, Debees played a pass with the outside of his foot, Saber’s shot was blocked, but he followed up to put the ball in the net. Egypt U23 broke the deadlock, 1-0!
In the 83rd minute, Olis advanced down the center and suddenly delivered a precise through ball. Shehata failed to catch the offside trap, and Mateta scored with a one-on-one shot, leveling the score for France U23, 1-1!
In stoppage time, Jotard crossed from the right, Bad headed towards goal, but the ball hit Fayad’s hand. After repeated VAR checks, the referee refused to award a penalty.
In the 93rd minute, Duaa made a strong run down the left, Fayad committed a foul, receiving his second yellow card which turned into a red, leaving Egypt U23 with ten men on the field.
In the 99th minute, Olis cut inside from the right and crossed, Sidlia headed the ball across, and Mateta scored at the far post, putting France U23 ahead, 2-1!
In the 108th minute, Duaa broke down the left and fell, the ball rebounded off him after Abdulmajid’s clearance, Olis took advantage, scoring from the center into the corner, extending France U23’s lead to 3-1, sealing the win.
Match Report
At 3:00 AM on August 6, the semi-final of the 2024 Paris Olympic Men’s Football saw host nation France U23 face Egypt U23.
In the 2nd minute of the first half, Loubakha nearly caused a mistake when clearing the ball, Adeel controlled it smoothly, but his shot from within the box went just wide.
In the 4th minute, Diouf initiated a counterattack with a long pass, Truffert advanced down the left, controlled the ball in the box and shot, but Alaa saved the shot. Mateta was preparing to follow up, but was cleared by Abdulmajid first.
In the 11th minute, Aklioch advanced and passed the ball, Olis cut inside from the right and curled a shot, which was blocked by Abdulmajid’s body.
In the 13th minute, Truffert crossed from the left, Mateta headed towards goal, but the ball went out of bounds just past the post.
In the 14th minute, Adeel cut inside from the left and passed the ball back, Zizo took a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but Restes saved it.
In the 25th minute, Lacazette broke down the left and crossed, Olis shot from 28 meters out, but the ball went just wide again.
In the 37th minute, Zizo delivered a corner kick, Fayad volleyed towards goal, but Jotard made a crucial clearance.
In the 38th minute, Zizo crossed from the left, Koka shot from distance, but it was too central and lacked power, allowing Restes to save it easily.
In the 40th minute, Olis delivered a corner, Bad headed towards goal, hitting the post, and Loubakha’s follow-up shot went over, France U23 missed a good chance.
The first half ended with France U23 drawing 0-0 against Egypt U23.
In the 52nd minute, Olis cut inside from the right and shot, but Alaa made another fine save.
In the 60th minute, Olis played the ball, Jotard crossed, but it was cleared and Lacazette’s shot went wide.
In the 65th minute, Jotard crossed from the right, Aklioch headed the ball back, and Mateta dived to head, but Alaa tipped it over the bar.
In the 67th minute, Aklioch crossed from the right, Lacazette headed the ball across, and Mateta tried to score, but Abdulmajid cleared it off the line.
In the 72nd minute, Truffert crossed from the left, Aklioch shot from the right, but it went over the bar.
In the 75th minute, Jotard delivered a set piece, Lacazette headed towards goal, hitting the post, then Aklioch crossed again, and Bad’s shot hit the crossbar.
In the 82nd minute, Jotard delivered a set piece long pass, Mateta played it back, and Loubakha’s shot went wide again.
After 90 minutes, the score was 1-1, taking the game into extra time.
In the 95th minute, Olis delivered a corner, and Bad headed towards goal, but it was cleared off the line again.
In the 102nd minute, Jotard won the ball in the front, Olis delivered a through ball, and Lacazette’s shot went high.
The remaining time did not see any change in the score, with France U23 defeating Egypt U23 3-1, advancing successfully to the final where they will face Spain U23.
Player List
France U23 Starting Lineup (4-3-1-2):
16-Restes; 3-Truffert; 4-Bad; 2-Loubakha; 5-Sidlia; 7-Olis; 13-Jotard; 20-Diouf (76′ 11-Duaa); 8-Aklioch; 10-Lacazette (105′ 9-Moinga); 14-Mateta (117′ 17-Magas)
Substitutes: 1-Enkambadio; 15-Rock; 12-Mirat; 18-Cherki;
Egypt U23 Starting Lineup (4-1-4-1):
1-Alaa; 5-Abdelmajid; 13-Debes (90′ 18-Mazar); 7-Saber (97′ 8-Kamel); 2-Fayad; 17-Elneny; 6-Shehata (111′ 11-Saad); 12-Koka; 14-Zizo (111′ 19-Hamdi); 10-Adeel (93′ 15-Tarek); 9-F