PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-1 Egypt: Mateta and Olise keep Les Bleuets’ hopes of Gold alive | OneFootball

Alexandre Lacazette fulfilled “a childhood dream” as he captained Les Bleuets out onto the pitch at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon as France welcomed Egypt in the semi-finals of the Olympics Men’s football competition. Thierry Henry’s men were one victory away from a potential final to win gold at their home games.

Truffert had Les Bleuets’ first chance of the game as he escaped in behind following a great diagonal ball from Akliouche but the Egyptian stopper was equal to his effort. Egypt had their opportunities on the counter-attack with the France defence looking shaky but the score remained goalless after a quarter of the match.

Olise tried his luck from a distance but his effort was narrowly wide of the post in the 25th minute. As France gained control of the match, they went closer to scoring the opener. Loïc Badé hit the post with a header from Joris Chotard’s corner in the 40th minute as Thierry Henry’s team squandered their best opportunity of the match. The semi-final remained goalless at the break.

Lacazette had the first big chance of the first half as the ball fell to him unmarked in the Egyptian box but the Lyon captain looked in two minds over whether to hit his shot with his left or his right foot and his effort went wide. This missed opportunity then looked expensive as Egypt took the lead through Saber after he found space in the home team’s box and unleashed a powerful effort into the roof of the net.

France responded positively to going behind and created a flurry of chances in the minutes that followed but still couldn’t find a way to breach the Egyptian goal. Mateta perhaps had the best of the chances as his header was turned over the bar brilliantly. Lacazette hit the bar from another Chotard set piece with Badé hitting the woodwork for the second time in the match on the rebound.

In search of an equaliser, Michael Olise danced past two players and burst into space before sliding a wonderful ball into the path of Mateta to fire home and keep France’s hopes of Gold alive. A goal made in Crystal Palace. VAR checked for a late penalty when Egypt’s Fayed through his arms into the air and connected with the ball claiming for a foul. After a lengthy deliberation, no penalty was given. The match went to extra time.

With Egypt losing a man to a red card, Mateta got his second with a header after Sildillia headed down Olise’s deep cross into the box. Les Bleuets were finally in front. Olise then got in on the act at the end as Les Bleuets piled on the misery. The Bayern man calmly placed a shot into the bottom corner.

France will now face Spain on Friday in the Gold Medal match of the Men’s Football Olympic competition.

France player ratings:

Guillaume Restes – 6

Kiliann Sildillia – 5, The right-back looked awkward in possession and the weak link defensively. He showed promise when venturing forward but playing closer to his own box the Freiburg defender showed a nervous disposition.

Loïc Badé – 6

Castello Lukeba – 5

Adrien Truffert – 7, Constantly an out-ball in advanced areas on the left flank, Truffert looked to be Les Bleuets’ most likely avenue to chances in the first half. His influence reduced as the game went on but he dealt brilliantly with Zizo who proved to be a lively figure in the Egyptian attack.

Andy Diouf – 4

Joris Chotard – 6

Maghnes Akliouche – 7

Michael Olise – 8, With the match going away from Henry’s team, the Bayern Munich attacking midfielder burst into action to kick Les Bleuets back into action. His influence in this Olympics has been dumbfounded with another moment of brilliance. After such a display, the former Crystal Palace man deserved his goal.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – 8, The man for the big occasion. Mateta has been Mr. Reliable for France at their home games and that continued with a brace against Egypt to put them in contention for a gold medal. Both goals were taken expertly by the Crystal Palace forward.

Alexandre Lacazette – 5

GFFN | Liam Wraith