A remarkable start. At the Vélodrome in Marseille, the French Olympic football team started its tournament in the best possible way with a 3-0 score on Wednesday, July 24. The Blues first came up against a United States team that was well-positioned defensively in the first half. The Americans, who hit the post, however, cracked physically afterwards, conceding three goals. Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise scored two goals from long range before Loïc Badé sealed the deal with a well-placed header following a corner. Thierry Henry’s team was also able to count on an inspired Guillaume Restes.
Lacazette-Olise, they are the bosses!
In a tournament where the solidity of the teams will certainly be even more decisive than the technical qualities, the French leaders did not fail. While the match was getting bogged down and was approaching a disappointing draw, Alexandre Lacazette (61st) and Michael Olise (69th) made the difference for France. Authors of two long-range strikes, the technical leaders of the Blues put their team on the path to success, and showed that they certainly had the destiny of this French team in their feet.
Guillaume Restes, the serenity guarantee
Thierry Henry had spoken about it before the match, this first match was also supposed to serve to bring serenity to the French group. And if the content was very far from it, the French goalkeeper drove the Americans crazy, as much as he relieved his own. Twice, he blocked the path of an excellent Paxten Aaronson with magnificent saves, to reassure his teammates, sometimes on the verge of breaking down. Saved twice by his posts, he had everything going for him tonight.
The Blues first in their group
With this big win, Thierry Henry’s players are comfortably at the top of their group, ahead of New Zealand. Winners over Guinea, the Blues’ next opponent, the All Whites have a goal difference (+1) lower than that of the Blues (+3), who are comfortable at the top of the standings.