In the first round of Group D of the football tournament at the Olympic Games, despite their domination throughout the entire match, Mali only drew against Israel 1-1, although they were much better opponent today. The Eagles had three times as many shots than the rival (8-3 on target) and eight corners more, but it wasn’t enough for the victory. Israel took the lead in the 57th minute through Hamidou Diallo’s own goal and Cheikna Doumbia brought a point to his national team. In the Group A match, France justified their role of favourite beating the USA 3-0. Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise, and Loic Bade were the scorers – all in the second half.Cheickna Doumbia GOAL vs Israel #Mali 🇲🇱 #PARIS2024 pic.twitter.com/p6bJvIG2RO— Score Point (@ScoresPoint) July 24, 2024 Mali started the game strong and had a massive chance already after six minutes. Cheickna Doumbia created space for himself and unleashed a solid effort to the bottom left corner, but Israel keeper Omer Yaacov Nir On superbly stopped his strike. In the first 30 minutes, Mali already had nine attempts and three corner kicks, dominating the game in possession. The only thing missing was – a goal. In the 34th minute, Brahima Diarra entered the box after a fantastic solo run and eventually shot off the target.Finally, Mali ended the first 45 minutes with five corners (Israel had none) and 14 shots in total, but only three on target. Many of those shots were from outside the box, but Doumbia, Brahima and Thiemoko Diarra, and Wolverhampton’s Boubacar Traore were all incapable of breaking the deadlock. On the other hand, Israel’s defensive game functioned well, but it was clear that it was only a matter of time before the Eagles would open the scoring if the game continued in the same manner after the break.Paris Olympics: Shujaa’s poor run continues after loss to AustraliaIsraeli coach Guy Luzon needed to change something, making two subs at the break – Ido Shahar and Ethane Azoulay replaced Ayano Farada and Elad Madmon. However, those substitutions didn’t initially have any effect since Mali continued with attacks and pressure. And then, in the middle of Malian domination, Israel took the lead after Hamidou Diallo scored an own goal! Nevertheless, the Eagles were not too shocked as they managed to level the score only six minutes later! Thiemoko Diarra sent a perfect cross for Doumbia, who sent an accurate strike to the back of the net!##NAJAVA_MECA_8228507##A quarter of an hour before the end, Mali manager Badra Diallo reacted for the first time, subbing in Coli Saco and Demba Diallo. Even though his team equalized, the Malian gaffer undoubtedly wanted the victory, especially since his team dominantly controlled the match. However, as if that equalizer sucked out all the Malian’s energy, they couldn’t make the additional effort to triumph from behind. Despite having 25 shots (eight on target) the Eagles fell short in the end, while Israel managed to hold out for a draw. In the second round, Mali awaits Japan, which crushed Paraguay 5-0 earlier today.🇫🇷🔥 Alexandre Lacazette scores the first goal for the French Olympic team from outside the box, putting France ahead against the U.S. pic.twitter.com/g0RCof5LsR— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 24, 2024 In a Group A match, France practically copied Mali’s first half. Despite domination from the start, Les Blues simply couldn’t find a way to the net. Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise, and Jean-Philippe Mateta caused a lot of trouble for the US defence but without notable and concrete output.The Americans had the first opportunity after the break when Djordje Mihailovic hit the crossbar from outside the box. However, that was only the introduction into the series of exciting situations. In the 61st minute France managed to break the deadlock through the super-experienced Alexandre Lacazette who unleashed an effort into the bottom left corner! Only three minutes later, the US defender John Tolkin hit the post.🚨🏅 GOAL | France 2-0 USA | Michael OliseFANTASTIC GOAL FROM MICHAEL OLISE !!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/OVynQOQJ1N— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) July 24, 2024 Nine minutes after the first, Les Blues scored their second goal through Bayern Munich’s recent acquisition Michael Olise who sent a perfect strike into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box! After Joris Chotard’s corner in the 85th minute, Sevilla’s Loic Bade netted the goal with a perfect header, making it 3-0. In the next round on Saturday, Thierry Henry’s crew will face Guinea, while the USA plays against New Zealand.OLYMPIC GAMES – FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTGroup stages – Round 1WednesdayArgentina – Morocco 1-2 (0-1)/Simeone 68 – Rahimi 45+2, 51 pen/Uzbekistan – Spain 1-2 (1-1)/Shomurodov 45+3 pen – Pubill 29, Gomez 62/Guinea – New Zealand 1-2 (0-1)/Diawara 72 – Garbett 25, Waine 76/Egypt – Dominican Republic 0-0 Iraq – Ukraine 2-1 (0-0)/Hussein 57 pen, Jassim 75 – Rubchynskyi 53/Japan – Paraguay 5-0 (1-0)/Mito 19, 63, Yamamoto 69, Fujio 82, 87/France – USA 3-0 (0-0)/Lacazette 61, Olise 69, Bade 85/Mali – Israel 1-1 (0-0)/Doumbia 63 – H. Diallo 57 og/
