Spain vs France – 2024 Olympics – Preview and Team News for This Blockbuster Final

2024-08-08 ScoreWaves Staff

The men’s football tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics has reached its business end. After 12 days of enthralling action and spellbinding football, only two teams are left standing. And on Friday, they go head-to-head for the gold medal.

Host nation France will face Spain in the gold medal game of the men’s football tournament at 2024 Olympics. Before the start of the tournament, many fans predicted these two teams to reach finals, and that’s exactly how things have panned out at the Olympics. Both European giants have delivered exceptional performances on their way to the final. However, they now face their sternest test of the tournament.

The men’s football final is one of the most highly anticipated events of the Olympics. Come Friday, PSG’s Parc Des Princes will be packed to the rafters with passionate fans cheering for their nations. But the big question is, which team will keep their cool and clinch the gold medal?

France vs Spain – Match Preview

The gold medal match of the men’s football final is very evenly poised, and that’s the reason several fans believe that the final will be a game for the ages. Both Spain and France possess world class players who change the game in an instant. Despite being evenly matched, Les Bleus are still considered the favorites because of their home advantage.

Les Bleus have undoubtedly been the best team of the tournament. On their way to the finals, France have remained unbeaten. Moreover, they have scored 11 goals and conceded just once throughout the tournament. France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has done a stellar job by leading this inexperienced French squad to the final. However, French fans will demand nothing less than a gold. So, the pressure is on them to deliver. If Les Bleus do manage to clinch the gold medal, it will be their first ever gold medal in men’s football at the Olympics.

However, standing in their way is Spain. This is La Roja’s second consecutive gold medal match at the Olympics. They made it to the finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but fell short as Brazil clinched the gold that year. Spain will look to go one better this time around. Their only loss in the tournament came in a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in the last group stage game, but they've won all their other matches in regulation time. With both teams going hammer and tongs for the gold medal, the final will surely be an entertaining affair.

France vs Spain – Team News

La Roja will look to follow in the footsteps of the triumphant Euro 2024 and add the Olympics gold medal to an already successful year for Spanish football. Key to their gold medal push will be Barcelona starlet, Fermin Lopez. The 21-year-old midfielder has been the star performer of Spain’s impressive run this tournament. Lopez scored two goals in La Roja’s quarterfinals win over Japan. He also scored a crucial 66th minute leveler against Morocco in the semifinals. If Spain were to defeat France, Fermin Lopez will surely play an important role.

Apart from Lopez, the centerback pairing of Eric Garcia and Barcelona prodigy Pau Cubarsi will also play a crucial role, as they will be tasked to keep a stacked French offense at bay. Up front, 24-year-old Abel Ruiz will lead the line, with Sergio Gomez and Aimar Oroz providing support from the flanks.

Meanwhile, Les Bleus will look to Michael Olise for inspiration. The new Bayern man has been the creator-in-chief for this French squad. It was his inch-perfect through ball that led to a late French equalizer in the semis. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Alexandre Lacazette will be the primary beneficiaries of Olise’s creativity.

Furthermore, Les Bleus will receive a massive boost in final, as midfield duo Enzo Millot and Manu Kone return to the starting 11 after being suspended for the semis. This French team will be eager to add to France’s tally of 13 gold medals. On the other hand, Spain is determined to round off a near perfect year for Spanish football with a gold medal.