After an affordable first round in the men’s football tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with matches against the United States, Guinea and New Zealand, Thierry Henry’s France team will have a lot to do in the quarter-finals. Les Bleus are not yet officially qualified but are leading their group A, with two victories, before their third match against the New Zealanders, Tuesday evening in Marseille. A draw and the first place will be validated.
Just before France’s match at the Vélodrome, Group B gave its verdict. Argentina finished in second place in the group despite a 2-0 victory against Ukraine at the Groupama Stadium. Thiago Almada scored a superb goal (47th). The future OL player scored his second match of the tournament. Claudio Echeverri made the score heavier (91st) but it was not enough for Javier Mascherano’s Albiceleste. There will be a France-Argentina next Tuesday in Bordeaux if the Blues finish first!
France would avoid Spain
Morocco finished first in their group after a 3-0 victory over Iraq in Nice. The Atlas Lions, who had created a surprise by beating Argentina in the incredible match in Saint-Etienne, made the difference in the first half thanks to Amir Richardson (19th), Soufiane Rahimi (28th) and Abde Ezzalzouli (36th), with a magnificent curling shot.
If France finish second in the event of a defeat against New Zealand (which is unlikely), they will face Egypt in the quarter-finals, the Pharaohs having snatched first place in Group C by beating Spain (1-2) in Bordeaux. La Roja drops to the other half of the table and the French team could thus avoid it in the event of qualifying for the last four.
