Egypt will face Morocco in the Paris Olympics bronze medal match on Thursday following a 3-1 semi-final loss to France.
Egypt had appeared on course for the gold medal match after Mahmoud Saber’s goal in the 61st minute gave them a lead over the hosts in Lyon. However, Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised late on to send the match into extra time.
The game turned in France’s favor when Egypt’s Omar Fayed was sent off early in extra time.
Mateta then scored his second goal to give France the lead. Michael Olise secured the victory for France with a goal in the 108th minute.
France, aiming for their second Olympic men’s football gold and their first since 1984, will now face Spain in the final at Parc des Princes in Paris on Friday.
Spain also left it late in their semi-final against Morocco. Juanlu Sanchez scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute after Fermin Lopez’s strike had cancelled out Soufiane Rahimi’s first-half penalty.
In extra time against Egypt, France took the lead when Kiliann Sildillia headed Olise’s delivery back across goal for Mateta to score his fourth goal of the tournament.
Olise added a third goal early in the second half of extra time after a clearance deflected into his path, sparking wild celebrations from the French team at full time.
The bronze medal match between Egypt and Morocco will take place on Thursday at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes.
