There hasn't been many rugby sevens matches quite like the quarter-final between France and Argentina—not just in recent times, but possibly ever. In a thrilling 26-14 victory, Antoine Dupont scored his team's final try with an impressive solo move. However, it wasn't merely the action that made this moment memorable; rather, it was the vibrant atmosphere surrounding it.
The Stade de France buzzed to life as approximately 80,000 French supporters cheered for their team while echoing through the city streets. The Argentine national rugby sevens squad faced a challenging environment due to past instances of discriminatory chants directed at their players during Copa América events—a tension that prompted Argentina's President Javier Mirelli to schedule talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, seeking to ease strained relations.
Against this backdrop, the French players and spectators were less concerned about diplomatic dialogues than they were about the match itself—an outpouring of patriotic fervor was evident when fans sang La Marseillaise as France established a commanding 21-0 lead within the early stages.
The Argentinians managed to score their first try in the second half, but after French player Jordan Sepho received his yellow card, the game intensified dramatically. Dupont showcased his expertise once more with a final touchdown as time expired—ensuring that France's experimentation in the sevens format would continue to progress toward their upcoming semifinals match against South Africa.
Dupont's decision to join the rugby sevens team came after contemplating the prospect of Olympic success, despite initially missing out on this year’s Six Nations due to his commitments with France's rugby sevens squad. This strategic move paid off as they not only clinched a league and cup double in Toulouse but also triumphantly secured their first-ever tournament win since 2005—a significant achievement considering the team had failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
France's path forward requires them to overcome Fiji, whose undefeated record at the Olympic Games is impressive, boasting a perfect track record in matches played over the past three years and two-day periods of competition thus far. Despite being held up by France in their prior encounter this season, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience—scoring twice within a minute to secure victory.
Fiji's journey has seen leadership changes as coach Ben Gollings was replaced by Osea Kolinisau following a tumultuous period for the team. With Kolinisau at the helm, Fiji welcomed back their legendary player Jerry Tuwai and adopted an aggressive "Fijian way" of play characterized by high tempo and risk-taking strategies—an approach that may pose a challenge to France in their upcoming match.
France will now face South Africa, who defeated New Zealand with Selvyn Davids leading the charge. As fans rally behind their respective teams, these two rivals prepare for what promises to be an exhilarating showdown in Paris' Stade de France.
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