Information before the match
With the ambition to become the third home team to win an Olympic men's soccer gold medal since 1992, France U23 does not slow down. They closed the group stage with 3 wins, firmly maintaining the top spot in Group A.
In Olympic history, Les Blues has only topped the group twice, with the result being runner-up in 1900 - the year they were the host, and champion in the US in 1984.
Of course, they hope for a repeat performance.
Thierry Henry's team is one of two teams that have won the group stage and is also one of two teams that have not yet conceded a goal.
Their opponent, Argentina U23, won tickets to the next round in a more difficult way. They were 1 of 3 teams that lost their opening match but still won tickets to the quarterfinals with 2 subsequent wins. They are only behind Morocco - the team that won their first match, head-to-head coefficient.
Coach Javier Mascherano won the Olympic men's soccer gold medal twice - 2004 and 2008, but the event in Beijing was also the last time Argentina stepped on the victory podium.
The interesting thing, and also the point that France U23 must note, is that Argentina U23 often scores late goals. In 3 group stage matches, they had at least 1 goal after 1 hour of play and 2 goals in the last 5 minutes.
That will make the match more unpredictable, in addition to the tension from recent conflicts.
