Spain beat France in extra-time thriller to win gold

Sergio Camello scored twice in extra-time to earn Spain an Olympic gold medal as they upset hosts France 5-3 in Paris on Friday in a thrilling final that turned both ways throughout the course of 120 pulsating minutes.

A brace from Fermín López had set Spain on course for victory at the Parc des Princes only for France to take the game into extra time courtesy of late goals from Maghnes Akliouche and a Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty.

Camello restored Spain's lead in the 100th minute and added his second in stoppage time as La Roja followed up winning the European Championships last month with a second-ever Olympic gold medal in men's football, going one better than the silver they won in Tokyo three years ago.

It is just Spain's third gold medal of this Olympics, coming after success in the marathon race walk mixed relay and the men's skiff sailing.

France, meanwhile, have already won 14 golds at their home Games and another golden afternoon looked on the cards when Enzo Millot's 11th minute strike was palmed into his own net by goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

The lead did not last long, with López and Álex Baena -- the two players in Spain's team who were also part of the Euros-winning squad in Germany -- starring as Santi Denia's side responded with three goals in 10 minutes.

López's fifth and sixth goals of an impressive tournament gave Spain the advantage and a stunning free-kick from Baena then appeared to take the game out of France's reach before the break.

But Thierry Henry's team fought back and only the heroics of Tenas kept them at bay as the minutes ticked by.

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper saved brilliantly from Mateta on the stroke of half-time and then again from Manu Koné, who had hit the crossbar moments before, in the second period.

Tenas' resistance was finally broken in the 78th minute when substitute Akliouche's feint touch from a Michael Olise free kick carried the ball into the back of the net to set up a grandstand finish.

Spain, who sacrificed López and Baena as they sought to hold on, looked to be over the line when midfielder Beñat Turrientes tangled with Arnaud Kalimuendo at a corner in the 93rd minute.

The VAR recommended the referee take a second look at the incident and, after watching the replay on the screen, he awarded a penalty that was converted by Crystal Palace striker Mateta.

There was still time for Turrientes to hit the bar and for one more Tenas save, this time from the ever-dangerous Olise, before the match went to an additional 30 minutes.

France had the momentum going into extra-time but it was all about substitute Camello, who produced two brilliant finishes to write his name in Spanish football history.

Morocco complete he podium in men's football, taking the bronze medal after hammering Egypt 6-0 on Thursday.