The highly-anticipated quarterfinal clash between France and Argentina at the Olympics on Friday was one to remember, with Les Blues coming out on top in a tight 1-0 victory thanks to a well-taken goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
In what was surely one of the most intense matches of the tournament so far, the French side found the breakthrough early on when Mateta cleverly directed home Michael Olise's corner with a pinpoint header in the fifth minute.
From then on it became a battle of wills as Argentina tried everything they could to draw level. But the French backline stood tall, limiting La Albiceleste's chances as goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni was hardly tested.
The result sees France advance to the semifinals, where they will face Egypt for a place in the gold medal match. As for Argentina, they will have to settle for the consolation of a playoff for third place.
The rivalry between the two nations has grown significantly in recent times, especially after their ill-tempered World Cup final encounter earlier this year. Nevertheless, it was France who emerged victorious on this occasion thanks to Mateta's early moment of magic.
