Match 1: France Olympic vs Argentina Olympic Games
Match analysis: All eyes will be on the Matmut Atlantic Stadium, where top contenders France and Argentina face off for a place in the semi-finals at Paris 2024.
France had a perfect campaign in the group stage, finishing first in Group A with nine points after beating United States (3-0), Guinea (1-0) and New Zealand (3-0). In addition to home advantage, hosts France are in excellent form thanks to rigorous preparation for five friendlies. They have won three and drawn two. France will meet Argentina for the first time in Olympic football. France hopes to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1984. Managers Thierry · Henry will once again trust Bayern Munich winger Michael · Olis, former Arsenal stars Alexandre Lacazette · Sevilla's Leuk · Bardet.
Argentina lost 2-1 to Morocco in their Group B opener, a surprising result. However, they got back on their feet in the ensuing fixtures, beating Iraq 3-1 and Ukraine 2-0. Argentina finished second in the group, tied with the leaders Morocco six points, and Morocco lost 1-2 to Ukraine. Argentina competed in the first two Olympic Games but failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Argentina have a striking squad of elite players, including Nicolás · Otamendi, Julián · Alvarez and Giuliano · Simeone. Rising stars Thiago · Almada scored twice at the Games.
France vs Argentina head-to-head head-to-head and key stats
France have scored 15 goals in their last five matches and conceded just one goal in all competitions.
France has competed in 13 men's Olympic football tournaments.
So far, France has won two medals in Olympic history: gold in 1984 and silver in 1990.
Argentina won four medals: two gold medals (2004, 2008) and two silver medals (1928, 1996).
France have won four of their last five matches, drawing once, while Argentina have won three, drawn once and lost once.
A showdown between two top teams is about to be witnessed, as both teams are in excellent form. However, Argentina's defence should be ready to fend off France's relentless deep attacks, but hosts France must block their flanks to stop Argentina.
As expected, France, hosts of this summer's Olympics, comfortably emerged from the group stage, picking up all nine points from three matches and joining Japan as the only team to complete the group stage without dropping any points. Under the guidance of Thierry · Henry, the formidable France team has big ambitions and has gone all the way to become the third host nation to win an Olympic football gold medal, something Spain achieved at the 1992 Olympics 32 years ago.
The last time France played in the knockout round since Atlanta 1996 was 40 years ago, when they won their first and only gold medal in the men's competition to date.
The quarter-finals are often a nightmare for the Olympic hosts, who have lost five of their first six men's matches at this stage, but their overall unbeaten run since a 4-0 defeat to Japan at Tokyo 2020 now reaches an impressive nine matches.
France U23 team news
After securing early qualification for the knockout stages of the Olympic Games, manager Thierry · Thierry Henry made some changes to their line-up in the final round of the group stage, but are expected to revert to their regular eleven-man squad soon.
Although Andy · Diouf and Arnold · Kalimundo were outstanding as substitutes in the 3-0 win over New Zealand, they are expected to return to the bench, while Michael · Olise and Alexandre · Lacazette will regain their familiar starting positions.
On the other side of the pitch, Argentina had a difficult start to the tournament, losing 1-2 to Morocco in their opening match. Morocco finished first in Group B. However, Argentina responded brilliantly to the defeat in their opening game, as they first regularly beat Iraq 3-1 and then 2-0 against Ukraine to finish the group stage as group runners-up. This is the first time since 2008 that the South United States nation has reached the quarterfinals of an Olympic soccer competition. In 2008, the Argentina team won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Argentina have only lost one of their previous five quarter-finals.
Argentina U23 team news
Unlike their quarter-final opponents resting some key players, Argentina are less extravagant, and their comfortable 2-0 win over Ukraine could start here.
Head coach Javier · Mascherano could reintroduce Julian · Álvarez and Lucan Beltrán in attack, while rising star Claudio · Echeverri is also in contention for a starting spot, scoring off the bench against Ukraine.
Not only will they be logically strongly supported as Olympic hosts, but France have shown strong championship ambitions so far, so it is fitting that they are labelled as slightly favoured. However, in the knockout stages, battles between heavyweight teams often lead to goal droughts, which could arise in this game as both sides are unlikely to take unnecessary risks. As well as playing at their full level in the group stage, France are the only team unbeaten in the group stage, scoring seven goals and keeping clean sheets in all three matches, an impressive result.
It is almost certain that Thierry· Thierry's side will adopt a strong defensive stance to disrupt the Argentina's powerful attack, Argentina have been excellent in their first two games, scoring five goals. In addition, Argentina's performance in this tournament has lacked excitement and excitement, with data showing that they have scored just two goals or fewer in five of their seven Olympic games. At the end of the day, France have enough consistency and quality in the defensive squad to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet and get one step closer to gold with a win over Argentina.
Argentina may be visibly tired heading into this game, but a tight encounter is to be expected, while France will eventually reach the semi-finals.
Recommend:
Favor France to win 2-0 2-1 3-1