Paris 2024 Olympics: Spain’s starlets shine at Parc des Princes to reinforce their football dominance
It was the princes of Spain who took to the throne at the Parc des Princes.
In one of the most enthralling, eye-catching and end-to-end Olympic football finals ever, Spain overcame hosts France 5-3 after extra time at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Calling the highest-scoring Olympic final in history a thriller just does not do it justice.
Spain came back from an early deficit to lead 3-1, conceded their own lead in stoppage time then scored two stunning goals in extra time to win the nation’s first football gold in 32 years.
This special team showed their quality, their vulnerabilities but, most importantly, their mental fortitude to reset after 90 minutes and take control of the match and their own destiny.
Champions of Europe and now Olympic champions: España really are the best.
Spain reign supreme in the beautiful game
“These matches are always difficult,” head coach Santi Denia said after the final. “You have a very strong team like France who can sit back and defend very well, but we were able to break them. I’m very happy because our players sacrificed a lot to be here and they deserve to win the gold medal.”
Spain have had plenty to celebrate in the world of football: their men were crowned champions of Europe less than a month before capturing gold, while the women are the reigning World Cup winners.
There are two double champions among this Olympic generation, both of whom led the charge in the gold medal match.
Álex Baena and Fermín López were celebrating Spain’s fourth European title in Berlin less than a month ago, and in Paris they added a combined three goals and an assist in the final to collect more silverware this summer.
Spain are also reigning champions in both the men’s and women’s Nations League, as well the Under-19 European Championships for both teams.
Add to that a first Olympic gold since their home Games at Barcelona 1992, this really is a golden summer for Spain. The beautiful game, Spanish style.
Alex Baena (left) celebrates Spain's third goal next to Fermin Lopez in the gold medal match
La Roja stun hosts France in eight-goal gold medal match
France looked to be on their way when they opened the scoring early on, but if there is anything to know about this Spain squad, it is that they do not back down.
Friday’s final was the second time they have conceded first and gone on to win at Paris 2024, having come back to beat Morocco 2-1 in the semi-final just four days earlier. It is a testament to their mentality and desire to fight until the end, a special trait in such a young side.
For all their youth though, Spain had some experienced support in the stands.
Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the men’s senior side, was there to offer them encouragement before and after the match, while basketball legend Pau Gasol witnessed a Spanish victory at last after some hard luck in other sports at Paris 2024.
That shortcoming in Olympic team sports has been a trend for Spain, and also a curse that they finally broke at the Parc des Princes.
The men’s football triumph is the first time Spain has won an Olympic team final in 28 years, losing a staggering 10 consecutive finals in that timeframe. Who better to bring an end to old superstitions than the new kids on the block?
Spanish football continues to thrive
It will continue to be talked about in the line of Spanish football success these past few years, and rightly so. De La Fuente and Denia have fostered a special generation in the Spanish men’s setup that has and will compete for major honours, let alone bringing them back home.
France were worthy opponents; led by legend Thierry Henry and boasting the most stacked attack in the men’s competition, they can be proud of a silver medal and their first Olympic football medal since Los Angeles 1984.
Morocco took the bronze medal after an emphatic 6-0 victory against Egypt, a first for them in football after a special tournament.
However, neither team were any match for Spain’s young guns and an exciting generation that will continue to thrive in the famous red shirt.
In the end, it is Spain who came out on top and showed that they are the princes of football.