Paris 2024: France demolish USA; Argentina suffer controversial loss | OneFootball

The Olympic men’s football tournament started on Wednesday with three intriguing games.

Here’s what happened.

France romp to comprehensive win over USA

Scorers: Lacazette 63′, Olise 69′, Badé 84′

A second-half show from France saw off the USA in the host’s opening match of the Olympic tournament.

This game took some time to get going, in fact the first shot on target didn’t come until Manu Koné’s effort was easily gathered by US goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

France turned up the pressure in the last few minutes of the half, but couldn’t break the deadlock as the teams went in at the break.

USA hit the bar through Đorđe Mihailović just before the hour mark, and then were made to pay for that miss when Alexandre Lacazette found the back of the net for France with a superb solo effort.

One soon became two, when new Bayern Munich signing Michael Olise let fly with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

The floodgates had opened and Sevilla defender Loïc Badé added a third with a free header from a Joris Chotard corner.

While this was a well-deserved win for France, USA put in a decent performance and had a goal ruled out for offside in the final seconds of the game.

Argentina leave it late

Scorers: Soufiane 45+2′, (PEN) 49′; Simeone 68′, Medina 90+15′

Argentina netted a 105th minute equaliser to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw with Morocco.

Javier Mascherano named a strong side for their clash in Saint-Etienne with the likes Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi and Thiago Almada all starting.

The opening quarter was a fast-paced affair with, in truth, little quality, especially in the final third.

Neither side had a shot on goal until the 23rd minute when Morocco forward Ilias Akmoach fired an effort well wide from the edge of the area.

But right on the stroke of half time, the deadlock was broken as the North Africans cut through the Argentine defence with Rahimi Soufiane tapping in after great work from Achraf Hakimi.

Into the second half and Soufiane got his second of the afternoon almost immediately with a calmly taken penalty.

Argentina pushed for a way back into the game and they got it on 68 minutes as Giuliano Simeone put his body on the line at the back post and fired into the roof of the net.

Julian Alvarez then had a glorious chance to equalise with nine minutes to go but Munir El Kajoui in the Morocco goal produced a stunning save.

The referee added an eye-watering 15 minutes of injury time and with literally the last kick of the game, Cristian Medina headed in after a melee to see Argentina claim a point.

Spain limp to victory

Scorers: Shomurodov (PEN) 45+2′; Pubill 30′, Gomez 62′

Spain needed a second half strike from Sergio Gomez to secure a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in Group C.

It was clear from the off that the Central Asian side were going to make it as difficult for La Roja as possible, with six fouls being committed in the opening three minutes.

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí was feeling the full force of the aggression and got booked himself for a petulant foul.

Eventually a game did break out with Alex Baena having the first effort after 15 minutes as his free kick was saved well.

On the half hour mark though, Spain did take the lead as Marc Pubill ghosted in at the far post and tapped in.

Right on the stroke of half time however, Uzbekistan equalised as Eldor Shomurodov netted from the spot.

The European side flew out of the blocks in the second half but just couldn’t find that finishing touch as Abel Ruiz, Juan Miranda and Cubarsí all missed chances.

Sergio Gomez had the chance to see Spain lead just after the hour mark but his penalty was saved.

The Real Sociedad attacker made amends just moment later though as he found space inside the area and fired home the winner.

Tomorrow sees the women’s competition start with Spain facing Japan and USA taking on Zambia.