Initially tense, but later liberated, France secured a decisive 3-0 victory against the United States on Wednesday in Marseille, marking a strong start to their campaign in the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
It took Thierry Henry’s players an hour to break through a match they seemed to be sleepwalking through. The breakthrough came courtesy of Alexandre Lacazette, the team’s captain, who stepped up to the edge of the American penalty area and unleashed a precise strike into the far corner of the net (1-0, 61st minute).
This goal electrified the nearly sold-out Stade Vélodrome and seemed to free the French players, who had appeared weighed down by the pressure of a tournament they aim to win.
Lacazette, 33 years old and the senior member of the squad of under-23 players, validated Thierry Henry’s decision to include him in the Olympic team. Lacazette hadn’t worn a French national team jersey since November 2017.
Just eight minutes after his goal, as the United States pushed for an equalizer, Lacazette set up Michael Olise. Olise, another offensive talent, doubled France’s lead with a curled left-footed shot into the far corner past American goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (2-0, 69th minute).
Defender Loïc Badé sealed the victory with a powerful header from Joris Chotard’s corner kick on the left (3-0, 85th minute).
This dominant finish was unexpected given the tense and uneventful first half. Despite controlling possession, Thierry Henry’s players struggled to break down the well-organized American defense.
In one of the rare moments of danger for France, American left-winger Paxten Aaronson almost capitalized on a quick break in the 39th minute, outmaneuvering Kiliann Sildillia before being thwarted by French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes.
Guillaume Restes, promoted to the starting goalkeeper position after Lucas Chevalier was retained by his club Lille, proved his worth. In the second half, he made a crucial reflex save to deny another header from Aaronson (63rd minute).