France Dominates United States in Men's Olympic Soccer Opener

In a commanding performance, France secured a 3-0 victory over the United States in their opening match of the men's Olympic soccer tournament in Marseille on Wednesday. The match, which marked the beginning of group play, saw a scoreless first half before France unleashed a second-half offensive that overwhelmed the U.S. team. The breakthrough came from Alexandre Lacazette, a veteran presence in the French squad, who struck the first goal with a powerful shot past U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Shortly after, Michael Olise, fresh off a notable transfer from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, extended France's lead, showcasing the team's attacking prowess. Loïc Badé capped off the scoring with a decisive header, solidifying France's position at the top of Group A. Despite the eventual scoreline, the U.S. team put up a resilient fight, with Djordje Mihailovic coming close to scoring when his shot hit the crossbar during the first half. This match marked a significant moment for the United States, as it was their first Olympic appearance in men's soccer since 2008, highlighting the team's efforts to re-establish itself on the international stage. Following this match, the United States finds itself in third place in Group A, trailing behind New Zealand, which secured a 2-1 victory over Guinea in the day's other match. France's strong start sets a promising tone for their Olympic campaign under the guidance of coach Thierry Henry.