Olympics 2024 got up and running on Wednesday when the opening rounds of the football event got underway; with some high drama, a loss for Argentina and wins for the other two favourites.
According to the Olympics 2024 betting odds Argentina, Spain and France are the three nations to beat and the European sides held their ends up as the South Americans had a bad day at the office.
Bleus legend Thierry Henry is managing the France team and he must have been hugely frustrated as his team struggled to break down a well organised USA team, and barely made a chance in the first half. With players such as Crystal Palace’s Jean Phillipe Mateta and Bayern Munich’s new signing Michael Olise in the side, and led by Alexandre Lacazette this was a France team with plenty of flair, but they went into the break with just one shot on target.
Les Blues continued to labour, much like the France Euro 2024 team had, and they were an inch away from going behind when Djordje Mihailovic hit a thunderous strike against the crossbar on the hour. And then, the moment which raised h the Marseilles crowd came when Lacazette took a pass from Olise and fired an arrow into the bottom left corner from 20 yards. It was all smiles as Olise curled in an absolute beauty from a similar distance and it was a match of two halves for sure, and once France got going there was no stopping them and Loc Balde made it 3-0 with a powerful header.
The USA played their part but this was a night for a Gallic celebration to start the Olympic Games.
Atlas Lions stun Argentina
Having won the 2022 World Cup and, very recently the 2024 Copa America, Argentina is the boss of world football but at the Paris Olympics the Albiceleste were brought crashing down to earth by Morocco. With stars including Julian Alvarez in the side Argentina fell flat and were killed off by two key moments either side of half time.
Soufiane Rahimi scored twice for Morocco but Villarreal winger Ilias Akhomach was the architect, firstly with a clever back-heel to Oussame El Azzouzi who crossed for Rahimi to fire home. It was a goal the first half didn’t really deserve but the second 45 burst into life. Minutes after the break the tricky Akhomach got on the wrong side of the experienced Nicolas Otamendi and then collapsed as 19 year old Julio Soler put his hands on the Moroccan’s back. The ref pointed to the spot, Argentina protested but Soler had been naïve; and Rahimi made him pay with a clinical spot kick.
La Albiceleste halved the deficit when substitute Giuliano Simeone slid in at the far post to smash home a Soler cross shot and it was all Argentina for the last 20 minutes as Alvarez almost bundled the ball home on 80. When the brave Atlas Lions thought they had picked up a stunning win Cristian Medina appeared to have headed the equaliser with a brilliant header in the last action of the match. But there was another twist after the teams were recalled to play the last three minutes of the game after VAR had adjudged the equaliser to be offside.
Argentina, with Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria in their side won the OIympic Gold in 2008, on the back of their 2004 success but have since failed to bag a third. And this was a dreadful start for the class of 2024, while the Atlas Lions are probably still celebrating!
Gomez spares Spanish blushes
Our other SBOTOP pick, Spain, had a real battle against Uzbekistan, playing in their first Olympic Games. Sergio Gomez scored a second half winner after La Roja had been given a real test by the minnows. With La Liga stars Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena in the side it was no surprise when Spain took a lead through Almeria wingback Marc Pubill who smashed home a thumping half volley. But Uzbekistan hit back through Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov who converted a penalty on the cusp of half time.
Manchester City’s Gomez had a chance to level with his own penalty attempt which was brilliantly saved; but he made amends when he swept home a cool finish from Juan Miranda’s cross.
Spain coach Santi Denia was happy enough and believes his side will improve as they spend more time together, but they left it late against an impressive Uzbekistan who may have more to say during this competition. Meanwhile on the opening day, in other Olympics 2024 results there were wins for New Zealand, Iraq and Japan. There are a whole host of sports, new and old at the Paris Olympics 2024, and then there’s the beautiful game; and we’ve seen some great action on the opening day so what’s not to like?
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
