On the opening day of the Olympic Football Tournament soccer tournament tournament, the United States came very close to taking the lead against France, hitting the crossbar at a crucial moment.
France beats United States
Alexandre Lacazette scored for France shortly after the United States missed this opportunity, setting the tone for the match. Michael Olise added a second goal for France, leading them to a 3-0 victory over the United States.
Djordje Mihailovic hit the crossbar with a long-range effort while the game was still scoreless in the second half, a moment that underscored the U.S. team's poor fortunes. Despite their efforts, the U.S. team, playing in its first Olympic game since 2008, showed promise in frequently breaking down France's defense.
U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic felt his team did not deserve to lose the way they did, emphasizing the harshness of the final score. France took their chances with impressive goals from Lacazette and Olise, with Lacazette scoring in the 61st minute and Olise in the 68th minute.
Loic Bade secured France's victory with a header in the 85th minute. France coach Thierry Henry praised the fighting spirit of the U.S. team, noting their persistence and belief in a comeback.
Lacazette's goal was a low shot from about 20 yards past U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, and Olise's goal was a curling shot from distance. Bade's header put France at the top of Group A ahead of New Zealand, which beat Guinea 2-1.
Mihailovic saw positives to take into the next two games despite the loss.
Morocco and Spain Triumph
In another match, Morocco defeated Argentina 2-1 in a game marked by controversy as fans invaded the field during stoppage time, leading to a two-hour suspension. Morocco secured its victory with goals from Soufiane Rahimi either side of halftime, including a penalty kick in the 49th minute.
Argentina, with players from their 2022 World Cup winning team, mounted a comeback with a goal from Giuliano Simeone but ultimately came up short.
Spain's Sergio Gomez scored the winning goal against Uzbekistan in their Group C opener, drawing 35,000 fans to the Parc des Princes in Paris. Spain's Marc Pubill scored in the 29th minute, while Eldor Shomurodov equalized for Uzbekistan with a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time.
Gomez had a penalty saved but scored from 12 yards three minutes later. The game ended 2-1.
No time to sulk, we're prepping for match two on Saturday. #OlyMNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/5OrZontaH9
- U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) July 24, 2024
Other Results
New Zealand won their Group A opener against Guinea, with Ben Waine scoring the go-ahead goal shortly after Guinea's equalizer. New Zealand's Matthew Garbett missed a penalty kick but scored a minute later, leading them to a 2-1 victory over Guinea.
Egypt and the Dominican Republic played to a scoreless draw in Group C, with Peter Gonzalez's goal for the Dominican Republic being disallowed.
Japan thrashed Paraguay 5-0 in Group D, taking advantage of Paraguay being reduced to 10 men after Wilder Vera was sent off following a VAR review.
Shunsuke Mito and Shota Fujio scored two goals each for Japan, with Rihito Yamamoto adding another.
Iraq came from behind to defeat Ukraine 2-1 in Group B, with Ali Jasim scoring the winner after Aymen Hussein's penalty equalized the score.
Mali and Israel drew 1-1 in Group D, with Mali's Cheickna Doumbia equalizing after Hamidou Diallo's own goal gave Israel the lead.
