France maintained their perfect record at their home Olympic Games by comfortably defeating New Zealand 3-0, securing their passage to the quarter-final in style. The match showcased France’s depth and quality, even with significant changes to the lineup, and set the stage for an exciting knockout phase. Let’s delve into the key moments and standout performances from this impressive victory.
A Dominant Start
Thierry Henry made nine changes to the team that previously beat Mali, yet France’s dominance was evident from the early stages. Rayan Cherki, one of the incoming players, immediately made his presence felt. Eight minutes into the match, Cherki glided up the pitch and unleashed the game’s first shot, setting the tone for France’s attacking intent. Arnaud Kalimuendo’s follow-up attempt was blocked, but the pressure on New Zealand was mounting.
Opening the Scoring
The breakthrough came 10 minutes later, thanks to Cherki’s continuous efforts. His drive towards the goal forced Joe Bell into a tackle, with the ball fortuitously bouncing off Finn Surman and landing at the feet of Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta seized the opportunity with a delightful finish, putting France ahead and boosting their confidence.
Maintaining Pressure
Désiré Doué, inspired by the opening goal, took a shot from range that was comfortably denied by Alex Paulsen. New Zealand, however, was not without their chances. Ben Waine, Sarpreet Singh, and Michael Boxall all saw efforts blocked, with Boxall also heading over from a corner. Despite a cooling break that slowed the tempo, Cherki continued to dazzle, and Andy Diouf narrowly missed with an ambitious effort.
A Flat Period and Tactical Changes
France appeared somewhat flat after the break and received a warning when Matthew Garbett’s clean strike fizzed wide. Recognizing the need for a spark, Henry introduced Michael Olise and Maghnes Akliouche shortly after the hour mark. This decision paid off quickly, as Surman’s tackle on Diouf led to the ball trickling towards Doué, who calmly slotted it home for France’s second goal.
Sealing the Victory
Doué remained a threat, seeing another shot blocked before Kalimuendo followed up to add a third goal, sealing a convincing 3-0 win. This victory extended France’s unbeaten run to eight matches and set up a tantalizing quarter-final clash against Argentina. With hopes of their second-ever Olympic triumph, the French team looks poised for a deep run in the tournament. Their only previous gold came in Los Angeles in 1984.
In contrast, New Zealand was knocked out following two consecutive defeats. Despite a valiant effort, they were denied a late consolation when Obed Nkambadio superbly saved Lachlan Bayliss’ audacious attempt.
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