- France beat Argentina 1-0 in the semi-finals of the men’s Olympic football event
- This was the latest episode in one of international football’s fiercest rivalries
- The final whistle was followed by a 30-man brawl on the field in Bordeaux
Friday’s quarter-final between France and Argentina in the men’s Olympic football tournament was followed by a huge melee on the field.
Hosts France, managed by Thierry Henry, won the game 1-0 to set up a clash with Egypt in the last four thanks to an early goal by Crystal Palace‘s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The game was the latest chapter in a fierce rivalry between these two great footballing nations.
Tension between the two has been high since Argentina beat Les Bleus in a penalty shootout to win an epic FIFA World Cup final in December 2022.
Some of Argentina’s fans celebrated that victory by creating a derogatory chant about France that has been widely condemned as racist, homophobic and transphobic.
Both sets of players clashed with each other after France beat Argentina 1-0 in Bordeaux
A 30-man brawl followed Friday’s competitive game in the men’s Olympic football tournament
This was the latest episode in one of international football’s fiercest rivalries in recent years
Officials and coaching staff were involved in the melee, as well as players from both teams
But that song was sung again – including by a group of players – after Argentina won this summer’s Copa America in the USA.
Before Friday’s match, Argentina’s national anthem was widely booed by the crowd at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.
What happened after the final whistle also drew jeers from the stands, where there was a significant police presence in place with the aim of limiting potential clashes between sets of rivals fans.
Things appeared to spiral out of control very quickly on the field. One moment, the French substitutes and staff were pictured running from the bench to celebrate with the playing XI. The next, a 30-man brawl was underway.
A circle of angry players then moved towards the touchline, before eventually swarming down the tunnel, where more disorder took place.
France’s players later reemerged to celebrate their victory in front of a fired-up home crowd.
Men’s football is an U23 event, with each nation only permitted to name three over-aged players.
Argentina were captained by former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi, while the France skipper was ex-Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Police officers pictured among the crowd after the match at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux
After the on-field conflict had fizzled out, France’s players celebrated in front of their fans
Les Bleus will progress to the semi-finals, where they will take on Egypt in Lyon on Monday
Captain’ Nicolas Otamendi (right) and Alexandre Lacazette (left) pictured battling for the ball
Friday’s fixture may have missed the star power of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, but it did not lack intensity.
The referee awarded 30 fouls, issued 10 yellow cards and sent off France midfielder Enzo Millot.
