France dominated the U.S. 3-0 in men’s soccer Wednesday in the countries’ Olympic group stage opener. The Group A showdown between the two teams was among the first events to kick off the Paris Games.
The French were held scoreless in the first half despite dominating possession, but the floodgates opened in the second half. An Alexandre Lacazette low strike began the scoring in the 61st minute, and then Michael Olise followed up with a goal of his own only eight minutes later. For good measure, Loïc Badé headed in another goal in the 85th minute.
Both countries were represented by their under-23 squads (with three older players allowed), yet it was the hosts’ experienced players who made quite a difference. Lacazette, 33, not only scored but also assisted on Olise’s follow-up. Badé, 24, put the match well out of reach.
France was the aggressor for most of the 90 minutes, recording more shots and shots on goal and taking six more corner kicks. The hosts finished the match controlling possession for nearly 53% of the action. The U.S., meanwhile, had five offside rulings that proved costly.
The U.S. still had their chances despite appearing overmatched for much of the day.
In the 59th minute, a shot from outside the box by Djordje Mihailovic hit the crossbar, the best scoring opportunity for either side until then. And after Lacazette’s goal, the U.S. almost responded immediately. In the 64th minute, Paxten Aaronson nearly equalized with a header that required a quick save. Then John Tolkin nearly scored the next minute off a header but was denied by the left post.
The U.S. wouldn’t threaten very seriously again, while France built on its lead after the brief scare.
Though France and the U.S. are coming off disappointing finishes in their most recent international tournaments, neither side sent over its top national squad. The French lost in the semifinals of the European Championship, while the U.S. didn’t even make it to the knockout stage of the Copa América.
The U.S. men are participating in the Olympics for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Games. They will next take the field Saturday against New Zealand.
