Olympics hosts thrash USA in soccer event

Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and former Arsenal forward Alexander Lacazette were on target as Olympic hosts France thrashed the United States of America 3-0 in their opening group-stage game on Wednesday.

France will hope they can win their second-ever gold medal in Olympics football as a host and they did enough to show their intent by defeating the USA at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.

Thierry Henry’s team found it difficult to break down the Americans in the first half of the game but it was in the 39th minute that the first major action happened after USA’s Paxten Aaronson cut inside from the right and fired at the near post, although he was denied by Guillaume Restes.

France also had their chance before half-time as captain Alexandre Lacazette fed strike partner Jean-Philippe Mateta with a chest-down pass, but the Crystal Palace forward’s effort was inches wide from the edge of the box.

The Americans similarly started the second half to the first as they continued to trouble France but failed to convert any of their chances. It was against the run of play that France opened the scoring on the hour mark, as Lacazette’s shot from distance hit the back of the net.

The Americans were close to equalizing immediately after the goal, but Marko Mitrović’s men were denied by Restes, who palmed away a header from Aaronson.

There was another chance for Kevin the USMNT to draw level, but John Tolkin’s header was saved, and moments later, Bayern Munich’s new signing Michael Oliseh finished off the fixture with a second goal in the 69th minute. There was enough time for another goal from France as Loic Bade smashed in a third goal with 5 minutes from time.

France will play Guinea next in the second game and the victory will be enough for them to move through to the next round of the computation. Guinea lost their opening game to New Zealand and the Oceanic team will face the USA next.