A French player was sent off during the fight that broke out after their win over Argentina
France coach Thierry Henry expressed his dissatisfaction with the behaviour of some of his players following their 1-0 Olympic quarter-final victory over Argentina in Bordeaux after the match ended in a brawl and a red card for French midfielder Enzo Millot.
France victory soiled by post-match brawl
Olympic Games hosts France secured their spot in the semi-finals by defeating Argentina 1-0, avenging their country's defeat in the 2022 World Cup final.
The rivalry between the two nations had recently intensified due to a video of Argentine players directing chants labelled as racist at French players and while Jean-Philippe Mateta's fifth-minute goal gave France the win, the celebrations were marred by an altercation at the final whistle.
French players celebrated in front of the Argentine team, leading to a brief brawl in which Millot received a red card. Team manager Thierry Henry was visibly displeased and addressed the incident in an interview with Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports.
"I do not agree with what happened at the end," Henry told the broadcaster, adding, "One of my players got a red card and I don't accept that, it shouldn't happen. I went to shake [Argentine coach Javier] Mascherano's hand and, when I turned around, it had happened."
Henry's impressed by ex-teammate Mascherano despite result
Despite the post-match turmoil, Henry praised his Argentine counterpart and former teammate, Javier Mascherano, for his team's performance.
Speaking about the difficult triumph, Henry said, "We tried to play between the lines but it was very tough. Argentina had possession and we played on the counter-attack.
“The goal came quickly, I don't want to say that scared us but we had to wait more. That's not so easy."
Henry and his team will face Egypt on Monday for a place in the final as France aim to secure their first Olympic soccer gold medal in 40 years.
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