U.S. opens Paris Olympics with lopsided loss to host France
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Stunning goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise helped France to a 3-0 victory over the United States in the Olympic men’s soccer tournament on Wednesday.
Loic Bade added the third with a late header to seal a win that had looked in doubt until former Arsenal striker Lacazette struck with a long range effort in the 61st minute in Marseille.
The host nation had to ride its luck against a U.S. team that saw a shot from Djordje Mihailovic hit the cross bar when the game was still goalless. Lacazette’s goal came almost immediately after.
On a wild opening day for Olympic soccer, Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 in a game that was suspended for about two hours because fans invaded the pitch deep into stoppage time. And the Americans looked like they could produce another upset when repeatedly opening France up.
They never came closer than Mihailovic’s effort, however, and France made the most of its fortune.
Lacazette drove low from around 20 yards past U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Eight minutes later, new Bayern Munich signing Olise curled a shot from distance into the same corner.
Bade’s header in the 85th effectively put the game away and saw France move to the top of Group A, ahead of New Zealand, which beat Guinea 2-1.