Stunning goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise propelled France to a commanding 3-0 victory over the United States in the Olympic men’s football tournament on Wednesday.
Loic Bade sealed the win with a late header, ending doubts about the outcome until former Arsenal striker Lacazette unleashed a long-range strike in the 61st minute in Marseille.
The host nation had to rely on some luck against a U.S. team that saw Djordje Mihailovic’s shot hit the crossbar when the game was still scoreless. Lacazette’s goal came shortly after this near miss.
In a dramatic start to Olympic soccer, Morocco defeated Argentina 2-1 in a match that was suspended for nearly two hours due to a pitch invasion by fans during stoppage time. The Americans, repeatedly threatening to upset France, never came closer than Mihailovic’s effort.
Lacazette’s low drive from around 20 yards found the net past U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Eight minutes later, Bayern Munich’s new signing Olise curled a long-range shot into the same corner. Bade’s header in the 85th minute secured France’s top position in Group A, ahead of New Zealand, which overcame Guinea 2-1.
Morocco 2, Argentina 1
Morocco celebrated a memorable victory over Argentina, though the match in Saint-Etienne was marred by a fan invasion to protest a disallowed equalizer by Cristian Medina deep into stoppage time.
Objects were hurled onto the field, and security had to contain the crowd, leading to a nearly two-hour suspension of the game. The goal was eventually ruled offside just before play resumed, prompting celebrations from Morocco’s players as the final minutes concluded.
This chaotic start to the tournament saw Argentina, gold medalists in 2004 and 2008 and favorites in France, attempt a comeback after trailing 2-0 from Soufiane Rahimi’s goals on either side of halftime. Giuliano Simeone scored in the 68th minute, and Argentina peppered Morocco goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui with shots before Medina’s controversial header.
The game was halted as Morocco fans stormed the pitch and others threw trash, leading to an official pause. Rahimi had put Morocco ahead in first-half stoppage time and then scored a penalty in the 49th minute, securing the decisive goal against an Argentina squad featuring four members from the 2022 World Cup-winning team.
