Olympic men’s soccer host nation France can reach the final on home soil on Monday if Thierry Henry’s men see off Egypt in Lyon. The Paris Games gold medal is now inching closer after Les Bleus edged out Argentina in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final while the Egyptians left it late before eliminating Paraguay in their quarterfinal.
The French last won an Olympic gold medal in soccer back in 1984 and the victory over the Albiceleste was a first knockout success at a Games since then. Henry and his players will hope to chip in with a gold medal as the hosts aim to overhaul China at the top of the medal standings. One more win over 90 minutes and that guarantees at least a silver medal and the home nation are yet to even concede a goal with Morocco or Spain the two other semifinalists.
The Egyptians are into their first Olympic soccer semifinals since their 1964 appearance as the United Arab Republic after a penalty win over the Paraguayans in what would be a historic medal win — if successful. The Pharaohs already beat potential final opponents Spain in the group stage and this semifinal outing is already one better than their 2020 showing in Tokyo. 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’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Monday, August 5 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Groupama Stadium – Lyon, France
- TV: USA Network | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: France -333; Draw +360; Egypt +750
How they got here
Les Bleus came out on top of the 2022 World Cup final replay against Argentina. Jean-Philippe Mateta secured the contentious win in Bordeaux after coming through a group stage including the USMNT, Guinea and New Zealand. All of that without having conceded a single goal means that a guaranteed medal spot is potentially now 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 towards the quarterfinal success against Paraguay with Ibrahim Adel featuring heavily. With history already made, the Egyptians are now playing with house money as they come up against the hosts.
Team news
France: Henry’s changes for the final Group A game were reverted for the quarterfinal with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise coming back into the starting XI. It should be a similar French side for this one although Enzo Millot will be suspended after he saw red after the game against Argentina last time out. Expect Guillaume Restes to continue in goal behind Loic Bade and Castello Lukeba with Manu Kone ahead of them as the central core of the side.
Possible France XI: Restes; Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert; Akliouche, Kone, Chotard; Olise; Lacazette, Mateta.
Egypt: Do not expect many changes from Micale as the Egyptians go into their first Olympic semifinal 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 berth.
Possible Egypt XI: Alaa; Fayed, Abdelmeguid, Eid, El-Debes; Elneny; Shehata, Kouka; Zizo, Faisal, Adel.
Prediction
France are mirroring Les Bleus’ UEFA Euro 2024 run with a mean defense that is yet to concede so expect things to remain tight here. So close to the final and in such formidable form, Henry’s French outfit should get this one over the line and book their Paris berth. Pick: France 2, Egypt 0.
