France secured a 3-0 victory over the United States in the opening match of the Olympic men’s soccer tournament on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise, and Loic Bade.
The match, held in Marseille, saw France break the deadlock in the 61st minute when former Arsenal striker Lacazette scored from long range. Olise, a recent signing for Bayern Munich, added a second with a curling shot from distance eight minutes later. Bade’s late header in the 85th minute sealed the win for the host nation.
The U.S. had its chances, notably when Djordje Mihailovic’s shot hit the crossbar while the game was still goalless. Despite creating several opportunities, the U.S. could not find the net.
Earlier in the day, Morocco defeated Argentina 2-1 in a match that experienced a lengthy suspension due to a pitch invasion by fans during stoppage time. The U.S. looked poised to challenge France, but Lacazette’s goal shifted the momentum.
With this win, France leads Group A, ahead of New Zealand, which won 2-1 against Guinea. The U.S. will need to regroup quickly to stay in contention as the tournament progresses.
