Dupont leads France to first gold of Olympics with rugby win over Fiji

Fiji had won all 17 of their previous Olympic matches, and were favored to win their third consecutive title against a team that didn't even qualify for Tokyo.

However, Dupont's exceptional performance proved the bookmakers wrong. Dupont, despite being on the field for only seven minutes, made a significant impact by setting up a crucial try and scoring two himself, turning the game in France's favor. The crowd erupted in celebration as the players danced on the pitch.

Dupont expressed his initial doubts about his decision to skip the Six Nations, but credited the team's physicality, solid principles, and remarkable team spirit for their success.

The atmosphere at the Stade de France was electrifying, with the fans cheering loudly and the players delivering a memorable performance.

The night started off poorly for the hosts and the anxious crowd, as Fiji scored early through Joseva Talacolo.

France maintained their composure, and the home fans erupted when Jefferson-Lee Joseph dived between the posts and Rayan Rebbadj converted to even the scores at halftime.

The prime ministers of both countries were present in the stadium, but there was no doubt about who was the most popular man in France when Dupont entered the field for the second half.

The man who missed the Six Nations to support the sevens campaign had an immediate impact as he sprinted down the left wing and skillfully assisted Aaron Grandidier Nkanang for France’s second try, which Paulin Riva converted.

He then powered over himself to break Fiji's resistance, and the ecstatic fans nearly brought the roof down when Dupont took a tap penalty to score again in the final play of the match.

“It was not what we wanted, but France was too good for us today," said Fiji's Jerry Tuwai, after adding a silver to his two golds. "We started really well, but a lot of things happened that didn’t go our way. I wanted to end my career with another gold, but not everything goes to plan."

Earlier, South Africa defeated a six-man Australia 26-19 with a last-play try by Shaun Williams to claim the bronze medal.

The three-day women's competition begins on Sunday.