KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Olympic Games hosts France reached the men’s football semi-finals for the first time in 40 years with a 1-0 win over Argentina which ended in scuffles between players and coaching staff in Bordeaux. France’s Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot was shown a red card after celebrating in front of the Argentina bench.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s early goal provided a minor measure of revenge for both the World Cup Final defeat in Qatar in 2022 and the abusive jeering by Argentina’s players after their Copa America success last month.

Coach Thierry Henry’s men will be overwhelming favourites to beat Egypt on Monday and reach the Olympic final for the first time since their gold medal success in Los Angeles in 1984. The Egyptians beat Paraguay 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 extra time draw in Marseille.

France needed only five minutes to grab the lead through a superb header from Mateta after a corner by Michael Olise.

Argentina’s chased an equaliser in vain. Giuliano Simeone wasted their clearest opportunity when he headed over the bar from close range just before halftime.

Olise was denied a second French goal in the closing minutes when VAR ruled out his effort for a foul by Maghnes Akliouche in the build-up. The final whistle sparked chaotic scenes during which France’s Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot was shown a red card after celebrating in front of the Argentina bench.

Argentina’s defeat meant failure in the attempt to become the first nation to hold both world and Olympic crowns since Italy in 1936.

Egypt reached the semi-finals by hitting back against Paraguay from a goal down in Marseille.

Paraguay went ahead in the 71st minute through Diego Gomez on an assist from Julio Enciso but Ibrahim Adel headed Egypt on terms two minutes from full time.

No further scoring followed in extra time, setting up a shootout. Paraguay’s second kick by Marcelo Perez was saved by keeper Hamza Alaa and the Africans converted all their spot-kicks to progress.

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