Paris Olympics – In a controversial quarterfinal match at the Paris Olympics, Argentina faced off against France amid a backdrop of jeers and a racism scandal. The match, held in Bordeaux on Friday, ended in a massive brawl after more than ten minutes of stoppage time, following France’s 1-0 victory.
Crowd Reaction and Racism Scandal
Argentina players were met with boos and jeers as they entered the field at Bordeaux Stadium. The hostility from the crowd began almost an hour before kickoff and continued through Argentina’s national anthem and initial ball touches. The animosity stemmed from a recent incident where Argentinian players were caught on video singing an offensive song about French players of African heritage after their Copa America victory.
Match Highlights
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the lone goal for France early in the match, securing their spot in the semifinals against Egypt. The other semifinal will see Spain face Morocco on August 5. Despite the off-field tensions, the game proceeded without heightened security, as over 400 police and gendarmerie officers, along with 100 military personnel, were deployed to ensure safety.
Previous Incidents and Security Measures
This was not the first instance of Argentinian teams facing hostility in Paris. Earlier on Friday, Argentina’s handball team was booed at the South Paris Arena, and last week, Argentina’s rugby sevens players were jeered during a quarterfinal against France at the Stade de France. Despite these incidents, the security measures remained as initially planned, with drones used to monitor the event.
Fan Atmosphere and Historical Context
Outside the stadium, the atmosphere was calm, with fans of both nations mingling without hostility. Many wore Argentina flags or jerseys featuring football superstar Lionel Messi’s name. The match was a rematch long anticipated by French fans since Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout win in the 2022 World Cup final. However, as the Olympics primarily feature Under-23 players, superstars like Messi and Kylian Mbappé were not on the field.
Historical Achievements
France is aiming for its second Olympic football gold, having won its first in 1984, the same year it won the European Championship. Argentina, meanwhile, won back-to-back Olympic titles in 2004 and 2008, with current coach Javier Mascherano playing in both victorious teams alongside Messi in 2008.
Medal Tally (Top 18 Nations)
| Rank | Flag | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | European Union (EU) | 32 | 33 | 38 | 103 | |
| 2 | People’s Republic of China | 13 | 8 | 9 | 30 | |
| 3 | France | 11 | 12 | 13 | 36 | |
| 4 | Australia | 11 | 6 | 5 | 22 | |
| 5 | United States of America | 9 | 18 | 16 | 42 | |
| 6 | Great Britain | 9 | 10 | 8 | 27 | |
| 7 | Japan | 8 | 4 | 6 | 18 | |
| 8 | Republic of Korea | 7 | 5 | 4 | 16 | |
| 9 | Italy | 5 | 8 | 4 | 17 | |
| 10 | Netherlands | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | |
| 11 | Canada | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | |
| 12 | New Zealand | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 13 | Romania | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 14 | Germany | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |
| 15 | Hong Kong, China | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| 16 | Azerbaijan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 17 | Brazil | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
| 18 | Ireland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| 18 | Hungary | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
| 18 | Georgia | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
The quarterfinal match between Argentina and France at the Paris Olympics was marked by crowd hostility and off-field tensions. Despite these challenges, France emerged victorious, continuing their quest for Olympic gold. The semifinals promise to deliver more thrilling football action as the tournament progresses.
