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Olympic men’s football host nation France can reach the final on home soil on Monday if Thierry Henry’s men beat Egypt in Lyon. The gold medal at the Paris Games is now closing in on after Les Bleus defeated Argentina in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final, while the Egyptians made a late exit before eliminating Paraguay in their quarter-final.
The French last won an Olympic gold medal in football in 1984 and the victory over the Albiceleste was a first knockout success at a Games since then. Henry and his players will be hoping to win a gold medal as the hosts look to conquer China at the top of the medal table. One more win in 90 minutes and that guarantees at least a silver medal and the home country still has to concede a goal with Morocco or Spain, the two other semi-finalists.
The Egyptians are in their first Olympic football semi-finals since their 1964 appearance as the United Arab Republic after a penalty victory over the Paraguayans in what would be a historic medal win – if successful. The Pharaohs already defeated potential final opponents Spain in the group stage and this semi-final is already one better than their 2020 performance in Tokyo. Finishing runners-up to Morocco at the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations to qualify for Paris, a rematch could be on the cards if they can beat France.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Monday August 5 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Place: Groupama Stadium – Lyon, France
- TV: US Network | Current: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: France -333; Sign +360; Egypt +750
How they got here
Les Bleus came out on top in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. Jean-Philippe Mateta secured the controversial victory in Bordeaux after coming through a group stage that included the USMNT, Guinea and New Zealand. All that without conceding a single goal means a guaranteed medal spot is now potentially just 90 minutes away. As for Rogerio Micale’s men, wins over Uzbekistan and Spain, as well as a draw with the Dominican Republic, built up to quarter-final success against Paraguay, with Ibrahim Adel starring. With history already written, the Egyptians are now playing with house money as they take on the hosts.
Team news
France: Henry’s changes for the final Group A match were reversed for the quarter-final, with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise returning to the starting line-up. It should be a similar French side for this side, although Enzo Millot will be suspended after seeing red after the last game against Argentina. Expect Guillaume Restes to remain in goal behind Loic Bade and Castello Lukeba, with Manu Kone ahead of them as the central core of the side.
Possible France XI: Peace; Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert; Akliouche, Kone, Chotard; Olise; Lacazette, Mateta.
Egypt: Don’t expect many changes from Micale as the Egyptians enter their first Olympic semi-final in 60 years. Osama Faisal and Ahmed Sayed should be joined by their top scorer in Paris Ibrahim Adel. Mohamed Elneny, Mohamed Shehata and Ahmed Kouka should form the midfield as the Pharaohs chase a surprise win and final place.
Possible Egypt XI: Alaa; Fayed, Abdelmeguid, Eid, El-Debes; Elneny; Shehata, Kouka; Zizo, Faisal, Adel.
Prediction
France mirrored Les Bleus’ UEFA Euro 2024 run with a vicious defense that has yet to concede, so expect things to remain tight here. So close to the final and in such formidable form, Henry’s French team should get this over the line and book their berth in Paris. Choose: France 2, Egypt 0.