Jean-Philippe Mateta has just made Crystal Palace history at the Olympics and Adam Wharton is loving what he’s seen.
Over the past few weeks, Jean-Philippe Mateta has been in Paris and playing a pivotal role in the host nation France’s Olympic gold medal pursuit.
Mateta is the second top-scorer in the entire tournament with four goals so far on France’s march to the final.
This included one against France’s bitter rivals Argentina in the quarter-final and now he’s added a brace in the semi-finals.
It was a Crystal Palace masterclass which saw France come from behind to beat Egypt with Michael Olise also on the scoresheet.
Jean-Philippe Mateta makes history for Palace
Mateta only touched the ball 19 times for France against Egypt but yet had two of the most important touches in the whole game.
His first goal drew the side level late on in the game, and his second put France 2-1 ahead and it turned out to be the winner.
Mateta therefore dragged France into the final of the Paris 2024 Olympics and guaranteed himself either a gold or silver medal – with the final against Spain being played this Friday.
In doing so, Mateta has broken some Palace history according to journalist Andrew McSteen with the striker being the first Eagles player in history to win an Olympic medal while on the books at SE25.
Mateta has had an excellent summer with France, and in his absence, Odsonne Edouard has stepped up and scored a handful during pre-season.
Adam Wharton reacts to Mateta making history
Mateta’s two goals in the semi-finals will have made him an instant hero in Paris as the home nation goes for gold.
But it also left some of Mateta’s team back in London watching on in glee with Adam Wharton being one to react.
Wharton took to his Instagram story with a message for Mateta, reacting to the goal and Mateta in celebration, the Palace midfielder just added a heart-eyes emoji.
To see Wharton supporting Mateta is excellent and bodes well for the pair this coming season and their link-up on the pitch.
