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 held in Marseille on Wednesday. The match, which began with a scoreless first half, saw France break through in the second half with a flurry of goals, showcasing their offensive prowess. Alexandre Lacazette, a key player for the French squad, opened the scoring with a powerful shot past U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, setting the tone for the remainder of the match. Shortly after, Michael Olise, fresh off a notable transfer from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, extended France's lead, demonstrating the depth of talent within the team. 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 strong 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 impressive start sets a high bar for the tournament as they aim for Olympic glory.