Olympics Final: France vs Spain

France and Spain are set to face each other for the second time in international competition this summer on Friday evening, albeit with some minor adjustments to this particular fixture. Firstly, both squads are only allowed to field a maximum of three players over the age of 23.

More importantly, The two nations also go head to head knowing that Olympic gold will be on the line, an achievement synonymous with success and nobility.

The Olympic final may not have the all round quality of their clash at Euro 2024 semi final, but a sprinkling of star power and the noise of a frenetic French atmosphere promise that this will be a spectacle all the same.

With this preview, we take a dive into both sides, looking at important players and significant absences, while investigating which strategies and the tweaks that accompany them can come out victorious.

How did France and Spain do in the previous round?

While both sides have to pick the majority of their players from the under 23 national team, their quota of three players over that age mark adds an extra dimension to how any given Olympic game plays out.

These senior players are the sole reason France reached the final. Trailing to Egypt with seven minutes of normal time to go, the responsibility of equalizing fell on the shoulders of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who after an outstanding end to the Premier League season in May seems to have carried his form over to Paris.

Mateta then put France in the lead in the first half of extra time, before ex-team mate and new Bayern Munich signing Michael Olise put the game to bed on 108 minutes to ensure the hosts of an Olympic games reached the final for just the second time since the 1996 games in Atlanta.

🇫🇷 𝑶𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒆'𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆! 🔥

Michael #Olise scores again as France defeat Egypt to reach the men's football final at #Paris2024 #FRAEGY #OlympicGames #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/dJDSikZBv8

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) August 5, 2024

Spain have shown less of a reliance on their senior players during their route to the final, with just one goal coming from a player over 23, compared to France’s eight.

The Spaniards faced Morocco in the semi-finals, a team against which their senior squad has suffered recent disappointment, losing on penalties in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup. They almost suffered heartbreak again here, as Morocco led on the hour mark thanks to a Soufiane Rahimi penalty.

However, Spain showed great character to mount a comeback, as Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez equalized on 65 minutes, before 20-year-old Sevilla defender Juanlu Sanchez landed the crucial blow five minutes from time.

Spain and France were arguably the two most superior sides in the competition before the knockout stages began, and it speaks volumes that many peoples predictions have been met now both of them have qualified for the gold medal match.

France and Spain Top Scorers

Jean-Phillipe Mateta convincingly leads the scoring charts for France with four in their five games so far, while Michael Olise has two of his own. They are then followed by a whole host of players with just one goal, including ex-arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette and highly sought after midfielder Desire Doue.

Fermin Lopez also has four goals for Spain, but rather than have a supporting striker on two or three goals, he has been backed up by no less than seven other players who have chipped in with a goal.

Fermín López for Spain so far at the Olympics:

▫️ 4 goals in 5 matches
▫️ Goal and an assist vs. Morocco to help send Spain to the gold medal match

What a special player ✨ pic.twitter.com/iNXje0k0sM

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 5, 2024

Both sides have seemingly designated goal scorers, but their squad depth means that goals really can come from anywhere, with 15 different goal scorers in their 10 combined games.

France vs Spain Team News

Spain have been fortunate to survive five competitive games without losing an individual to injury, a sequence that will be uncommon in any team should you care to keep track of the time a squad is fully fit.

France are almost able to boast the same full complement of players, but Bradley Locko was subbed off in their fiery quarter final clash with Argentina after an hour. He was however an unused substitute against Egypt, and there is hope that he will be able to at least make a cameo from the bench in the final against Spain.

France vs Spain Predicted Lineups

• France (4-3-1-2): Restes (GK), Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert, Akliouche, Chotard, Kone, Olise, Mateta, Lacazette.
• Spain (4-2-3-1): Tenas (GK), Pubil, Garcia, Cubarsi, Miranda, Barrios, Baena, Oroz, Lopez, Gomez, Ruiz.

France vs Spain Player to Watch

Though Jean-Phillipe Mateta has recently become an outstanding striker who can’t seem to miss, it is actually Michael Olise who has allowed him to unlock his potential. The 22-year-old had a brilliant season for Crystal Palace last year alongside Mateta, although the two didn’t seem to click until Olise returned from the last of his multiple injury lay-offs at the end of March.

Upon his return, Olise sparkled, and his brilliant technical play, quick thinking and wand of a left foot were all to the benefit of Mateta. Getting himself in scoring positions, it was rare for Olise to miss him than find him with an assist, and between them, they contributed 18 goals in their last eight fixtures.

This mateta olise linkup will be missed pic.twitter.com/FDhybXAOv2

— Hk🐐 (@UTD__lyon) August 5, 2024

This chemistry has now been brought to the France U23’s, and it is reaping its rewards. Scoring a combined six times, and with Olise setting up two of those, this dynamic due will be more than a handful for the young Spanish backline, who are simply not used to playing against this type of quality at youth level.

Where can I watch France vs Spain

Though this game will certainly be on TV, it has not yet been confirmed which channel it will be shown on in the UK. Kick off is at 5pm on Friday, so check through BBC 1 and 2, and if the game isn’t there, Eurosport may also be showing it. Discovery+ customers have automatic access to the game.