As expected, most of the big names of world football do not invest themselves that much in the Olympic Games tournament. Also, unlike the competitions under the umbrela of UEFA and FIFA – clubs are allowed to prevent their footballers from playing for their country at the Olympics. Ergo, much less quality will be seen at the tournament from the so called ‘favourites’.Regardless, that did not stop Brazil and Germany to gift us with a great match. Alongside with this derby, matches between Japan and South Africa, Honduras and Romania and Argentina and Australia took place one day before the official opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 games.Tokyo 2020: Bumpy start for the favourites, Spain held by Egypt while Mexico annihilates the FrenchBrazilians were great against the German squad and deservedly won 4-2 with Richarlison taking the game ball home as he scored a quick hat-trick (7th, 22nd and 30th minute). South-Americans could have had a four-nil advantage in the first half already, but Cunha failed to convert a penalty.Second half saw two ‘hail Mary’ attempts from the Die Manschaft as they got close to leveling the score but Brazilians did not let the situation get out of their hands. Paulinho’s 92nd minute goals made it clear.Richarlison scores Brazil men’s first goal of #Tokyo2020 💥 pic.twitter.com/zUWkTbM1C1— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 22, 2021 Japan scored one but it turned out to be the decisive goal to defeat the South Africans – Real Madrid’s player on loans Takefusa Kubo found the net in a beautiful manner in the 71st minute.Since hardly anything is a surprise in the Olympic football tournament, Australia beating Argentina can also avoid such a label. Olyroos or Socceroos, whatever you choose to call them, scored 2, one in each half, and conceded none. Second goal was particularly easy on the eye.Last match of the day, with two least attractive teams, name-wise, ended with Romania beating Honduras one-nil – own goal by the Central Americans just before the halftime whistle decided the outcome of the match.Second round of the Olympic football tournament will take place in three days – Ivory Coast will face Brazil while South Africa sees France.TOKYO 2020 MEN’S FOOTBALLGroup stageThursdayEgypt – Spain 0-0Mexico – France 4-1 (0-0)/Vega 47, Cordova 54, Antuna 80, Aguirre 90 – Gignac 69 pen/New Zealand – Korea 1-0 (0-0)/Wood 70/Ivory Coast – Saudi Arabia 2-1 (1-1)/Al-Amri 39 og, Kessie 66 – Al-Dawisari 44/Argentina – Australia 0-2 (0-1)/Wales 14′, Tilio 80’/Japan – South Africa 1-0 (0-0)/Kubo 71’/Honduras – Romania 0-1 (0-1)/Oliva 45+1’/Brazil – Germany 4-2 (3-0)/Richarlison 7′, 22′, 30′, Paulinho 90+2 – Amiri 57′, Ache 84’/
