Frustration rippled across the Parc Olympique Lyonnais for 83 minutes on Monday night when Thierry Henry’s France looked like they were heading out of their home Olympic Games. The hosts failed to show the vigour to break down Egypt's low block, constantly coming short when looking for the final ball.
Until they went behind, France’s attacks lacked penetration, yet seconds after conceding, their forward play became piercing.
Their resilience was admirable as they found a way to claw themselves back into the affair and book themselves a spot in the final.
The French started the semi-final well, registering their first shot on target in the fourth minute. Adrien Truffert brought down a phenomenal diagonal ball on the edge of Egypt's box. After showing exceptional control he got a strong effort away forcing a big save from Hamza Alaa.
Henry’s side had joy on the left flank, but whatever Les Blues came up with, Egypt stood firm. France were remaining patient, enduring lengthy spells on the ball, while struggling to make headway into the Egyptian penalty area.
The hosts had been the livelier in the first half, albeit Egypt totted up more shots.
Misfortune was rife for France, who struck the woodwork on a countless number of occasions. The first came in the 39th minute when Joris Chotard delivered a fantastic corner, finding Loic Bade nine yards from goal. The Frenchman unleashed a teasing header with only the post denying him.
Les Blues were composed and hoping things were finally going to click. The hosts patience was almost rewarded when they finally carved the chance that they had been longing for. Truffert did well on the right and managed to spray a ball across the Egyptian box. The cross was met by Hossam Abdelmaguid, who could only clear it as far as Lacazette. The former Arsenal man had to put his country in front, yet scattered his effort wide.
Moments after their squandered chance, Egypt punished France’s missed opportunities and took the lead with their first chance of the second half. Hassan Shehata played a wonderful ball with the outside of his boot from the left and found Mahmoud Saber in the penalty area. His initial shot was blocked by Castello Lukeba, but the rebound fell perfectly and he smashed his effort into the back of the net, piling the pressure upon the hosts.
The question of prevalence, how would France respond to going behind for the first time in the tournament?
Answering emphatically, Egypt's opener served as the perfect wake-up call. Henry’s side began to play explosive football - constantly infiltrating the Egyptian box. It took just seconds for France to register their first attempt after falling behind. Jean-Philippe Mateta powered a great header towards the Pharaohs net with a stunning save from the goalkeeper denying the forward.
France’s flurry saw Maghnes Akliouche waste a phenomenal ball from Bade - missing a header from a matter of yards - and a thrilling link-up between Mateta and Lacezette, but when the move came to its crescendo the finish evaded the former-Arsenal forward.
Seeking their equaliser, France continued to push. A superb opportunity was thwarted when Lacazette and Akilouche took it in turns to strike the woodwork.
However, France finally got their award with seven minutes left on the clock after a relentless period of sustained pressure. Gliding through midfield Michael Olise threaded a fantastic ball beyond the Egyptian backline to find his former Crystal Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta. The man who obsesses over corner flags showed remarkable composure one-on-one with the goalkeeper to smash his first-time shot straight into the top corner.
If a winner was going to come in normal time it was only going to fall to France. Les Blues were unrelenting in attack as they looked to kill the game off and secure their spot in the final.
Six minutes of stoppage time were added on, and in the fourth France thought they had their opportunity. A recycled corner was pummelled into Egypt's box. Omar Fayed and Bade contested the aloft ball. The defender leapt with his hands dangled in the air, Bade won the header and the ball struck the hand of Fayed. It was a certain penalty, yet the referee did not give it.
Cue VAR, cue seven minutes of anguish. The referee was demanded at the monitor and after a prolonged discussion with the video assistant, he bizarrely denied France a penalty adjudging Bade to have fouled Fayed after he brushed his back. Les Blues felt rightfully wronged, although it was not going to stop them from securing a spot in the final.
With the sides locked together after 90 minutes, extra time was needed to determine who would play in Paris on Friday.
Egypt’s hopes of a gold medal match had dissipated just 64 seconds into the first period of extra-time. Substitute Desire Doue - who had been a nuisance since his introduction - was hacked down by the man at the centre of the penalty controversy Omar Fayed which left the referee no choice but to brandish a second yellow card.
The expectation was that the French would dominate extra-time and the red card all but confirmed that.
Just seven minutes after Fayed’s dismissal France doubled their lead. Once again, Mateta was a hero. Ever since the moment he was rated a three by L'Équipe in France’s opening game, he has silenced all the doubters. The goal, well it was magical. The South London influences were prevalent again as Olise delivered a deep cross towards Kilian Sildilla. The Freiburg defender greeted the ball with a header across which Mateta guided into the back of the net.
France enforced their dominance throughout extra time, rarely giving Egypt a glimpse. The last laugh fell to Olise, who confirmed Les Blues' spot in the final adding a third for the French in the 107th minute - capitalising on a loose ball in the box and finding the bottom corner to make his sixth goal contribution of the tournament.
Going for Gold, Henry’s resilient France will face Santi Denia’s Spain in the capital on Friday night.
