Paris 2024 Olympics - Football - Men's Victory Ceremony - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - August 09, 2024. Gold medallists Spain celebrate on the podium. REUTERS/Paul Childs/File Photo PARIS - Spain's men added their first Olympic soccer gold medal in 32 years to their glittering trophy cabinet, while the U.
S. women's team won a record-extending fifth title and their first since London 2012 before packed crowds at the Paris Games. Coming off European Championship success for their men's senior and under-19 teams, Spain's under-23 side capped a golden summer by winning the title in an epic clash with hosts France that they won 5-3 after extra time at Parc des Princes.
The triumph earned Spain a first Olympic soccer gold since the 1992 Barcelona Games and first in a team sport in 28 years. "We had a dream, this gold is the best that an athlete can aspire to," coach Santi Denia said. "An Olympic gold is the greatest, you can see how beautiful it is and the tears it brings.
" Despite failing to end France's 40-year Olympic title drought, coach Thierry Henry said he was proud of their silver medal. Morocco won bronze after crushing Egypt 6-0 to earn the country's first-ever medal in a team sport. The women's competition began with a drone spying scandal that marred Canada's campaign, with the team handed a six-point deduction and coach Bev Priestman banned for a year by FIFA.
The Tokyo gold medallists still reached the knockout stage, but lost to Germany in the quarter-finals in .