PLAYER RATINGS | France 1-0 Argentina: Jean-Philippe Mateta scores to propel Thierry Henry’s Bleuets to Olympic semi-finals

The highly-anticipated Olympic Games quarter-finals between the Albiceleste and France started before a ball was even kicked with the Bordeaux stadium crowd loudly booing the Argentina anthem, in the wake of the controversy surrounding the racist chants aimed at Les Bleus for which Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez (23) has apologized. Thierry France’s France made little to dampen the defiant mood. Five minutes after kick-off, Les Bleuets were ahead. Michael Olise logged his third assist of the tournament in kicking a precise corner towards Jean-Philippe Mateta whose header left no chance to Geronimo Rulli.

Argentina were on the ropes and they had the AFC Ajax goalkeeper to thank for with Enzo Millot and Mateta missing the opportunity to double France’s lead. His opposite number Guillaume Restes was also called upon to deflect a powerful effort from Ezequiel Fernandez. Giuliano Simeone then missed a glorious chance to restore parity but he overhit his header a mere yards from goal. France’s tightly-knit unit remained impervious in the first half, with Manchester City centre-forward Julian Alvarez kept at bay, but their opponents significantly grew into the game.

In the second half, France’s efforts mostly consisted of preventing Argentina from equalizing, which made the hosts rely on a deep low block where their experienced centre-backs excelled, Loïc Badé in particular. France didn’t lack opportunities to kill off the game, but the decision-making of the strikers left much to be desired, prompting Henry to ring up the changes in the final fifteen minutes with Maghnes Akliouche and Arnaud Kalimuendo entering the fray.

Les Bleuets thought they had the qualification wrapped up when Olise found the back of the Argentina net ten minutes from time, but Maghnes Akliouche was found to have fouled Ezequiel Fernandez in the build-up – a controversial decision to say the least. France eventually held on after more than ten minutes of added time with Argentina wasting opportunities to level the score. Les Bleuets will face Egypt on Monday at Lyon.

France players ratings

Guillaume Restes, 7

Killian Sildillia, 5

Loïc Badé, 7

The Sevilla centre-back put in a defensive masterclass at Bordeaux. The 2023 Europa League winner made sure Julian Alvarez barely had a sniff of goal and got several vital blocks to his credit thanks to his flawless awareness and positioning.

Castello Lukeba, 6

Adrien Truffert, 5

Joris Chotard, 5

Manu Koné, 6

Enzo Millot, 5

Michael Olise, 7

The former Crystal Palace player keeps on providing the goods. He logged his third assist of the Games for Mateta’s opener from a corner kick. The Bayern Munich winger was pivotal in driving France forward and never shied away from his defensive duties. His overall performance should have been capped by a goal, but he was ludicrously denied by VAR.

Alexandre Lacazette, 5

Jean-Philippe Mateta, 6

GFFN | Bastien Cheval