“If he feels like celebrating, let him come to where we are” - Nicolas Otamendi ‘very angry’ at France star after brawl at Olympics football clash
Argentina captain Nicolas Otamendi has expressed his anger at the France team for their celebration after their quarterfinal meeting at the Olympics on Friday, July 2. The South Americans succumbed to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against the hosts in a bad-tempered game, crashing out of the tournament.
The French and Argentine national teams have developed a bit of bad blood in recent times, particularly after their meeting in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. The South Americans won the Copa America this summer and found time to taunt the French national team with derogatory songs during their celebration.
Argentina boss Javier Mascherano named national team veteran Nicolas Otamendi as the captain of the Olympics squad. The Benfica man was on the pitch as France finally gained a measure of revenge over the South Americans.
The match between the sides ended in a mass brawl, and afterwards, Otamendi explained what had happened.
"I am very angry that they went to where the family was to celebrate in his face. That ‘Balde’, ‘Bade’, if he wants to celebrate, he should come to us and we will resolve it there. We will talk about whatever needs to be talked about."
"Before being world champion I went through defeats and I know what it is like. The boys did well. We lacked the goal.”
The experienced centre-back conceded that his side did not do their best, particularly in front of goal, in the game. They managed to hold off the hosts for much of the encounter but were undone by a third-minute strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Thierry Henry's France will now proceed to the last four of the Games, where they will face Egypt.
Experience pays off for France in Olympics tie against Argentina
France had to rely on their experience as they overcame Argentina to reach the semifinals of the Olympic football event on home soil. The hosts ran out 1-0 winners in the keenly-contested encounter in Bordeaux.
The Crystal Palace connection worked magic for Henry's side just five minutes into the encounter as Mateta headed home a corner from Michael Olise. The South Americans rallied but failed to do enough to breach the French defence in the game.
Olise thought he had added a second for his side, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. In the aftermath of the game, a brawl ensued as the France players celebrated in front of Argentina's players' families. Midfielder Enzo Millot received a red card after the game, ruling him out of the semi-final.