Paris 2024: Men Football Second Round Overview

Japan advanced to the Men's Olympic Football Tournament quarterfinals after defeating Dominican Republic and Mali, respectively. Uzbekistan was eliminated after losing to Egypt.
 
Argentina won its second game in a row after losing its first. In Group B, 10-man Ukraine overcame Morocco with a last-second goal, earning its first point of the competition.
 
France, the hosts, improved to 2-0 with a tight victory over Guinea; Paraguay, in Group D, rallied late to defeat Israel in a thrilling match; and the United States, in their first game, cruised to victory over New Zealand.
 
Group A

France 1-0 Guinea

France beat a determined Guinea team 1-0 in the second half on a header by Kiliann Sildillia, securing their second straight win at Paris 2024. Arnaud Kalimuendo, set up by Aliou Balde, hit the post following a Nice opportunity, and it seemed like the home club would be thwarted by the visiting African squad. Nonetheless, Balde was once again responsible for Sildillia. Therefore, Les Bleus was unstoppable. Group A opponents the United States and New Zealand face on Tuesday, so Thierry Henry's team will have to wait to find out whether they have qualified for the quarterfinals based on their current six-point total.
 
New Zealand 1-4 USA
 
A resounding victory against New Zealand in Marseille was the perfect way to kick off the United States' 2024 Paris campaign. The United States raced out to a 2-0 lead only 12 minutes after the start of the game. Before Walker Zimmerman's close-range conversion, Djordje Mihailovic hammered in a penalty. Halfway through the first half, Gianluca Busio scored a goal that ended the game. In the second half, the United States maintained their dominance, and a deflected goal by Paxton Aaronson gave them the lead. Although substitute Jesse Randall of New Zealand scored a late consolation goal, the Americans would ultimately prevail. 
 
Group B
Argentina 3-1 Iraq
 
In Lyon, Argentina beat Iraq to earn their first point toward Paris 2024. After a beautiful pass from Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada rifled in a sharp drive to score La Albiceleste's first goal, bringing together two champions of the FIFA World CupTM. Aymen Hussein's spectacular header drew Iraq level right before halftime, but the South Americans retook the lead on 62 minutes. The goal came from Kevin Zenon, who set up replacement Luciano Gondou for the return home with a cross. After a great team play, Ignacio Fernandez scored the game-winning goal with a magnificent 20-yard shot in the top corner.
 
Ukraine 2-1 Morocco
 
Substitute Ihor Krasnopir slammed the ball home in the eighth minute of extra time, giving ten-man Ukraine a thrilling last-gasp win against Morocco. Maksym Braharu set up Dmytro Kryskiv for a close-range goal, putting Ruslan Rotan's team ahead. After the break, Morocco equalized with a penalty kick from No. 9 Soufiane Rahimi after Volodymyr Saliuk had hauled down Rahimi. Saliuk initially received a yellow card, but the referee increased Saliuk's card to red after consulting video assistant referees. It seemed like a tie was in the cards until Oleh Fedor set up Krasnopir for an improbable winner.
 
Group C
Dominican Republic 1-3 Spain
 
Spain advanced to the next round with a 2-0 victory against the Dominican Republic. Midway through the first half, they took the lead thanks to Fermin Lopez, who quickly finished off a ball from Enrique Boesl, the goalkeeper for the Dominican Republic. Angel Montes De Oca scored the Caribbean team's second goal following a corner kick by Edison Azcona; however, Azcona was sent off for kicking Pau Cubarsi. In the second half, Spain reclaimed the lead thanks to a deflected goal by Alex Baena. Miguel Gutierrez, a substitute, knocked in the last goal to seal the deal.
 
Uzbekistan 0-1 Egypt
 
After a nail-biter against Egypt, Uzbekistan was the first nation to be knocked out of the Men's Olympic Football Tournament. With some luck, the North African country scored the game's lone goal when Osama Faisal's scuffed effort went off the post, and Muhammadkodir Hamraliev's attempt at a clearing hit Ahmed Koka and went into the net. Egypt needs a point in Tuesday's encounter against Spain to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
 
Group D
Israel 2-4 Paraguay
 
Fabian Balbuena and Marcelo Fernandez scored in the 88th minute to give Paraguay a crucial three points in a thrilling six-goal thriller against Israel at the Parc des Princes. In the first and second halves, the South American team took the lead on goals from Julio Enciso and Fernandez, who both scored incredible goals that left goalie Omer Niron utterly powerless. Roberto Fernandez's clumsy handling of a straightforward corner allowed captain Omri Gandelman to nod home, but Guy Luzon's men fought back on each occasion. After briefly becoming a hero by saving Oscar Gloukh's penalty kick, Fernandez let the forward slot in the rebound. Balbuena headed Paraguay ahead, and Fernandez scored a breakaway goal to make it 3-2. There was still time for more drama.
 
Japan 1-0 Mali
 
With their close victory against Mali at Stade de Bordeaux, Japan joined France as the second team to guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. After Lassine Diarra saved a shot from Kein Sato, Rihito Yamamoto bundled the ball home in the 82nd minute to break the tie for Go Oiwa's team, who have decided not to deploy any of the three players over the age of 23 on their roster. Deep into the extra period, Mali had a golden chance to tie the game when Cheickna Doumbia sent a penalty shot wide of the right post of the celebrating goalkeeper Leobrian Kokubo.

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