Matchday One of men's Olympic soccer saw upsets, wonder goals and the single wildest VAR review in the history of the game — not bad for a tournament long considered "below" FIFA competitions like the World Cup and the Copa America. Congratulations are in order for Uzbekistan, Iraq and Japan, whose performances lit up the day and proved Asian soccer is on an inexorable rise, and for Morocco, who somehow managed to turn a pitch invasion and potential suspension into a 2-1 victory over world champion Argentina. (Morocco deserved that win, to be fair.
Just maybe not in the slapdash and violent manner in which it received it.) Congratulations are also in order for host nation France, who kicked off its Olympic soccer journey with a heady 3-0 victory over the United States Men's National Team. That scoreline looks rough on paper but USMNT fans know the truth: this was a well-played, closely-fought match until the bottom fell out of it, and this young USMNT looks hungrier and fiercer than the one that crashed out of the Copa a few short weeks ago.
Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic hit the woodwork twice; New York Red Bulls midfielder John Tolkin hit it once. Give or take a few centimeters and the USMNT could've easily drawn 3-3 instead. But when France is busy doing this, courtesy of new Bayern Munich signing Michael Olise, you can't really begrudge it the victory.
What a strike by Michael Olise! France double their lead and the home fans are loving it. #ParisOlympics.