Crystal Palace striker nets for France in Olympic Games – setting up Argentina quarter-final
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France’s 3-0 win over New Zealand on Tuesday evening.
The 27-year-old captained Thierry Henry’s side to victory and set up a grudge quarter final clash against Argentina on Friday.
Mateta gave France the lead in the 19th minute with a lovely chip over the goalkeeper and two defenders on the line.
Desire Doue and Arnaud Kalimuendo wrapped up the scoring in the second half to book France’s quarter-final clash.
France finished top of their group after also beating the United States and Guinea.
Former Palace attacker Michael Olise – who completed a move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer – started on the bench and came on with 25 minutes remaining.
Argentinian players were filmed singing a derogatory song about France’s black players after winning the Copa America earlier in July.