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France and Argentina players were involved in a massive brawl at the end of their quarter-final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday. The hosts claimed a narrow 1-0 victory to reach the semi-finals of the men's football event.
Managed by national team legend Thierry Henry, France are among the favourites to win the gold despite many players being unavailable by clubs due to their ongoing pre-season.
France won their group to reach the last-eight, where they were drawn against an Argentina side with whom they share bad blood. The two nations' senior sides had faced off in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, with the South Americans emerging victorious on penalties after a 3-3 draw after extra time.
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Few weeks ago, after their 2024 Copa America win, Argentina players chanted discriminatory songs against the French team, riling them up. Thierry Henry's team left no stone unturned in their bid to beat the Argentines.
The end of the match, though, was marred with ugiy scenes as both sets of players and staff clashed on the pitch. Following the final whistle, French players and staff streaked onto the pitch to celebrate, and their enthusiastic celebrations infuriated the Argentina team.
Argentina captain and veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi revealed the reason for the confrontation after the game. The Benfica man said that they were annoyed by how the French players went to celebrate in front of the families of Argentine players. A lot of pushing and shoving ensued, with French midfielder Enzo Millot receiving a red card.
France overcome Argentina in ill-tempered Olympics QF
France beat bitter rivals Argentina in their Olympics quarter-final by, eliminating Javier Mascherano's side to qualify for the last-four.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philipe Mateta scored the winner for the French after five minutes. New Bayern Munich man Michael Olise thought he had scored a second for the side, only for his late effort to be ruled out for offside.
The defeat ended Argentina's hopes of winning a third Olympic gold, after 2004 and 2008. Henry's side face Egypt, who beat Paraguay on penalties (5-4) after a 1-1 draw, for a place in the final.
