MARSEILLE, France — On a wild opening day for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament, the United States came within the width of the crossbar from taking the lead against host nation France.
Within moments, Alexandre Lacazette had the ball in the back of the Americans’ net — and when Michael Olise added a second for the French, they were on their way to a 3-0 win.
“It was unfortunate — on another day maybe it goes in,” said Djordje Mihailovic, whose long-range effort came back off the bar when the Group A game in Marseille was still goalless in the second half. “I think most importantly, (we need to) emotionally recover because we were in the game for the first 70 minutes, even after they scored, we responded very well.”
Earlier in the day in Saint-Etienne, Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 in a game that was suspended for about two hours because fans invaded the pitch deep into stoppage time. And the U.S. looked like it could produce another upset when repeatedly opening France up in the first Olympic game for American men since 2008.
“I can’t say anything to the players. They were in the right spot,” U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic said. “I have that feeling inside that we didn’t deserve to lose this way.”
The United States never came closer than Mihailovic’s effort, and France made the most of its fortune — responding with stunning strikes from Lacazette in the 61st minute and Olise in the 68th.
Loic Bade added the third with a header in the 85th.
“I knew it was going to be tough. You guys never give up,” France coach Thierry Henry told American reporters afterward. “That fighting spirit is always in you. You always believe that you can come back. I know that. I played in MLS, I coached in MLS, so I know that’s something that you have.”
It was two moments of quality that ultimately put France in control, with former Arsenal striker Lacazette driving low from around 20 yards past U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
New Bayern Munich signing Olise curled a shot from distance into the same corner.
Bade’s header effectively put the game away and saw France move to the top of Group A, ahead of New Zealand, which beat Guinea 2-1.
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“There was definitely stuff to make us feel good going into the next two matches,” Mihailovic said.
Morocco 2, Argentina 1
Morocco secured an unforgettable win over Argentina — but not before furious fans invaded the pitch to protest what appeared to be an equalizer by Cristian Medina in the 16th minute of stoppage time.
Objects were thrown onto the field and security had to restrain fans, causing the game to be suspended for nearly two hours and the crowd being told to leave the stadium.
The goal was eventually ruled offside just before play resumed, drawing celebrations from Morocco players as the final minutes concluded.
It was a chaotic and dramatic start to the tournament after Argentina, which won gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and is considered among the favorites in France, mounted a comeback after going 2-0 down on goals from Soufiane Rahimi on either side of halftime.
Giuliano Simeone struck in the 68th minute and Argentina peppered Morocco goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui with shots before Medina’s header from close range appeared to tie it.
That caused outrage from Morocco fans, who rushed the field, while others threw trash, and the game was officially put on hold.
Rahimi had put Morocco ahead in first-half stoppage time, then converted on a penalty kick in the 49th, which proved to be the decisive goal against an Argentina team that included four members of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
AP’s Sam Metz contributed.