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France got the party started at home in front of an enthusiastic Marseille crowd
yahoo sports staff
After a slow start from both sides, France dominated USA in the second half for a 3-0 win in both teams' Olympic openers on Wednesday.
It was an ideal start to the Games in front of an enthusiastic Marseille crowd for a France team making its debut as the host country. France controlled the ball from the opening whistle then poured it on with three second-half goals to get the party started in Marseille.
USA has significant work to do to get out of group play with upcoming games against New Zealand (July 27) and Guinea (July 30). France next faces Guinea on July 27 then New Zealand on July 30.
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Jason Owens
That's it. No goal for USA. France opens Olympic play with a dominant 3-0 showing at home to take early control of Group A. USA has significant work to do to get out of group play with upcoming games against New Zealand (July 27) and Guinea (July 30).
Jason Owens
USA has eight minutes of stoppage time to get on the board and limit the aggregate damage in group play.
Jason Owens
France is pouring it on. A header from Loïc Badé on a corner kick makes it a 3-0 lead for the host team over USA in the 85th minute. The party is on in Marseille.
🚨🚨| GOAL: Loic Bade makes it THREE!
France 3-0 USA pic.twitter.com/kmnKLqrdw1
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 24, 2024
Jason Owens
Ten minutes remain in regulation, and Team USA's in a desperate spot, down 2-0 against a French team playing its Olympic opener at home.
Jason Owens
The floodgates have opened. Michael Olise makes it a 2-0 lead for France with a left-footed strike from the top of the box in the 69th minute. The French broadcast and home fans are ecstatic.
🚨🏅 GOAL | France 2-0 USA | Michael Olise
FANTASTIC GOAL FROM MICHAEL OLISE !!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/OVynQOQJ1N
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) July 24, 2024
Jason Owens
France is on the board to the delight of the Marseille crowd. Alexandre Lacazette snuck a shot from outside the right side of the box past Patrick Schulte to the left corner for a 1-0 France lead in the 61st minute.
Que golaço do Lacazette 😮💨pic.twitter.com/XA9C0LD4ux
— GoncaloDias17 (@goncalo_diass17) July 24, 2024
Jason Owens
Djordje Mihailovic with a close call for USA. Hits the cross bar on a strike from outside the box. Inches away from a 1-0 USA win.
Jason Owens
Ten minutes into the second half, and we're no closer to settling this than at the opening whistle. Three total shots on goal (USA 2, France 1) and little action in a 0-0 game.
Jason Owens
The U.S. attacks first with a soft header from Nathan Harriel on a free kick. Easy save for Guillaume Restes. Still 0-0.
Jason Owens
The second half is underway, tied at 0-0. No lineup changes for either team.
Jason Owens
Players are making their way back to the field for the second half. Can USA pull off the upset of the gold-medal favorite, or will France get the win for the home crowd in the first day of Olympic competition
Jason Owens
This is the first of three group-stage games for each team. USA will next play New Zealand on July 27 then Guinea on July 30. Two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinal round on Aug. 2.
Jason Owens
France is controlling the ball with a better than 60-40 edge in time of possession and has seven total shots to three for USA.
Jason Owens
And we're at halftime in a scoreless tie between France and USA. A slow start gave way to pressure from both sides late in the half, but each team has managed just one shot on goal.
Jason Owens
Jean-Philippe Mateta just missed wide right for France from outside the box in the 45th minute. France continues to keep pressure on the U.S. but has managed just a single shot on goal.
Jason Owens
Kevin Paredes picked up the first U.S. yellow card with a foul in the 37th minute.
Jason Owens
USA counters with a shot on goal in transition. Paxten Aaronson was on target with a right-footer from inside the box in the 37th minute, forcing a foot save from Guillaume Restes. The action is picking up after a slow start.
Jason Owens
Manu Koné got a shot on goal for France in the 35th minute, but it didn't have a chance. Patrick Schulte easily made the save on the right-footer without much on it.
Jason Owens
A foul on France's Kiliann Sildillia drew a yellow card.
Jason Owens
Most of the players for both teams — and all men's soccer teams in these Olympics — are 23 or younger. Teams are permitted only three players older than 23 in Olympic play. These are not full-strength rosters like you'd see in World Cup play.
