Camello's brace nets Spain football gold over France 5-3 in extra time

Spain secured the gold medal in the 2024 Olympic men's football competition, after substitute Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time to clinch a dramatic 5-3 win over hosts France, in a nail-biting Paris Summer Games final at Parc des Princes on Friday.

The teams were knotted at 3-3 at the end of regulation time, but Camello scored 10 minutes into the extra period and again near the end to seal Spain's first Olympic men's football title since 1992, when La Roja claimed the gold medal at home in Barcelona.

France mounted an incredible comeback after going 3-1 down to send the game to extra time, as Maghnes Akliouche pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, before a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review awarded the hosts a penalty that Jean-Philippe Mateta converted in stoppage time.

Spain rallied in the first half after Enzo Millot opened the scoring for France in the 12th minute, scoring three goals in 10 minutes to get within touching distance of the title, thanks to a Fermin Lopez double and superb free-kick from Alex Baena.

"It is something beautiful, but above all I'm happy for the players, for the way they achieved the win," Spain coach Santi Denia told reporters. "It was an amazing match against a high-level French team. I'm proud also of the model of play we represent."

France's Millot had scored early by pouncing on a loose ball in the box, and firing into the top left corner following a poor blocking attempt by Spanish goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

Spain equalized six minutes later when the unmarked Lopez passed the ball into the net first-time, before the Barcelona midfielder gave his side the lead with his second goal in the 25th.

Baena curled his free kick into the top left corner just before the half-hour mark, but France made it 3-2 with 11 minutes remaining, on Akliouche's close-range touch after a set piece.

As Spain looked set to celebrate winning the title, the drama really ramped up when the referee was called to the video monitor to check a foul by Benat Turrientes on fellow substitute Arnaud Kalimuendo in the penalty area.

A spot kick was awarded and Mateta equalized with his sixth goal of the Paris Olympics to send the French fans into raptures.

Spain's Turrientes then hit the bar with a fierce drive before the referee blew the whistle at the end of 90 minutes.

In extra time, with Spain having already taken off Lopez and Baena, Thierry Henry's French team pushed for a winner. But it was Spain's Camello who scored by lobbing the ball on the run over the stranded Guillaume Restes, before sealing the win following a brilliant save by the goalkeeper in the final seconds.

"(Camello) has been a hard worker since day one, he deserved his double," Baena said. "He knew he was going to be a substitute but ended being the most important player for us and found a reward. I wish the summer never ends. I'm so happy I get to make history with Spain. To win you have to suffer, especially against France in France."