France, U.S., Argentina Reach Soccer Quarters; Paraguay, Morocco, Egypt Through

Date: 31 July 2024 - 22:14

News ID: ۱۲۹۹۳۴

PARIS ( AFP) - Hosts France secured a place in the quarterfinals of the men’s Olympic football tournament with a 3-0 win over New Zealand that put them top of Group A, while the United States edged Guinea 3-0 to progress on the final day of the group stage.
Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco and Egypt also joined already-qualified Spain and Japan in the last eight.
France, coming off two wins, only needed a draw to go through, but goals by skipper Jean-Philippe Mateta, Desire Doue and Arnaud Kalimuendo made it a perfect first round.
The U.S. advanced in second place after a strike from Djordje Mihailovic and a Kevin Paredes double earned them victory in St Etienne.
The 27-year-old Mateta grabbed the lead for France, taking advantage of New Zealand’s poor defending in the 19th minute.
Doue added another in the 71st after a neat passing move, before Kalimuendo’s low shot sealed the win three minutes later.
Thierry Henry’s side next face Argentina in Lyon on Friday.
At an almost empty Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, U.S. midfielder Mihailovic opened the scoring in the 14th minute by sending a brilliant free-kick into the top left corner.
Paredes made it 2-0 off Paxten Aaronson’s great through ball in the 31st and got his second 15 minutes from time.