After a heart-stopping extra time, the Spanish team was able to claim victory and end more than three decades of ostracism in the Olympic Games. Thus, 32 years later, Spain renews its laurels in the Olympic event.
The Spanish soccer team is once again golden. Santi Denia’s men beat the hosts in the match held at the Parc des Princes, in Paris. A stadium in which the spanish they became ‘Kings of the ball sport‘ after beating their opponents 5-3. In an exercise of faith and sacrifice, Spain was able to turn around an adverse score and overcome the home team’s initial goal.
In just 10 minutes, the team led by Thierry Henry had managed to take the lead thanks to a Millot shot. The French player picked up a bad clearance from the Spanish in his area, controlled the ball and tried to adjust it to the angle of the goal defended by Arnau Tenas.
In principle, the action did not represent much danger for the goalkeeper who, curiously he missed ‘home’when trying to clear the ball. Tenas is familiar with the Paris stadium, as it is the home of Paris Saint-Germain, the club for which he plays.
It was a bucket of cold water from which the Spanish team managed to recover with authority. Spurred by the unfortunate action of his goalkeeperfrom then on, the spanish They did what they do best: play football.
Control of the ball and exits with speed to try to turn the score around
From then on, they managed to maintain control of the ball and tried to come out with speed in search of the tie. A equalizer that came in the 18th minute of the duel. Fermín, with his first touch, sent a great pass from Baena to the back of the goal defended by Guillaume Restes.
Shortly after, the FC Barcelona player took advantage of a clearance by Restes to score his second goal and allow Spain to take control on the scoreboard. The French were knocked out and the men led by Denia knew that it was time to deal a blow that could be definitive on his way to gold. No sooner said than done. Baena, with a masterful free kick, established the final 3-1. In just half an hour of play, Spain had practically left the match to be decided.
Withstand the pressure to win Olympic gold
From then on, they had to endure the pressure and attacks of the French team, which sought to turn the game around. Both had several chances to score another goal, but Only the French managed it.
In the final stretch of the match, Akliouche took advantage of a pass from Olisé to reduce the gap. A scare for the ‘Red’ that followed the blow of the penalty, in the last seconds of the duel, which allowed France to tie. The French captain, Jean-Philippe Mateta, from the ‘fateful spot’, sent the match to extra time.
Knowing how to suffer and show enviable honor to win the gold medal
An unwritten maxim in football states that the team that forces extra time after being behind on the scoreboard faces extra time in a higher mood. Maximum that was confirmed in the first minutes of extra time, where the French dominated.
However, when the Spanish seemed to suffer the most, Bernabé pulled a masterful pass out of his hat that Sergio Camello took advantage of to give Spain the victory. The Rayo Vallecano player saved the rival goalkeeper’s exit with a touch of classultimately decisive. He sent the ball over the goalkeeper to score the fourth Spanish goal. One goal was followed by another, his second personal goal, to establish the final 5-3 in favor of Spain.
Thus, after a second heart-stopping overtime period, the Spanish team was finally able to claim victory, and end more than three decades of ostracism in the Olympic Games. Now, 32 years later, the ‘Red’ Men’s football once again dominates at the Olympic Games.
