France set up grudge match against Argentina in men’s Olympic football

Hosts France will face Argentina in the quarter-finals of the men’s Olympic football tournament after sealing top spot in Group A with a 3-0 win over New Zealand.

France, who had won their first two games, only needed a draw to reach the last 16, but goals by skipper Jean-Philippe Mateta, midfielder Désiré Doué and forward Arnaud Kalimuendo in Marseille completed a perfect group campaign for Thierry Henry’s team.

That sets up what could be a fiery encounter in Bordeaux against Argentina, who finished second in Group B after beating Ukraine 2-0 in Lyon. Thiago Almada’s fine effort just after half-time set Javier Mascherano’s side on their way to victory, and Claudio Echeverri sealed victory when he tucked away a rebound in stoppage time.

Tensions have been heightened between the two football nations since the 2022 World Cup final, when Argentina fans chanted about French players with African heritage. After the albiceleste won the Copa América final in July, a video showed Argentina players singing similar chants.

That led the French football federation to file a complaint with Fifa over “racist and discriminatory remarks”. While that investigation is still ongoing, a full-scale diplomatic incident erupted between the countries before the Argentina president Javier Milei met with France’s leader, Emmanuel Macron, to smooth things over.

The United States finished second in Group A after Kevin Paredes’ double and Djordje Mihailovic’s superb free kick earned a 3-0 win over Guinea. The USMNT will next face Group B winners Morocco, who eased to a 3-0 victory over Iraq, with striker Soufiane Rahimi getting his fourth goal of the tournament.

Elsewhere, Egypt have topped Group C after a surprise win over a much-changed Spain side in Bordeaux. Ibrahim Adel capitalised on poor defending to score in the 40th and 62nd minute, and while Spain did pull a goal back in the final seconds through Samu Omorodion’s header, it was too little too late.