New Zealand 0-3 France: Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta helps Les Bleus keep perfect record at Paris 2024
Updated 30/07/2024 at 23:42 GMT+1
France concluded Group A with a perfect record after beating New Zealand 3-0 at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s beautiful flicked effort gave Les Bleus a narrow first-half lead. Desire Doue doubled the advantage in the 71st-minute and three minutes later Arnaud Kalimuendo wrapped up the scoring. The defeat means New Zealand finish third in the group.
Jean-Philippe Mateta #14 of Team France celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Men's group A match between New Zealand and France.
Image credit: Getty Images
France beat New Zealand 0-3 to progress to the quarter-finals at Paris 2024 on a perfect record of three wins in Group A.
Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring 19 minutes in before Desire Doue and Arnaud Kalimuendo put the match firmly in France's bag within the space of five minutes late in the game.
Meanwhile, the tournament is over for New Zealand who finish in third place.
An attacking start from France saw the hosts take the upper hand immediately and their first chance arrived seven minutes in through a solo effort from Rayan Cherki who cut through the defence and fired a left-footed shot towards the net. Kiwi goalie Alex Paulsen had it covered on that occasion though.
France kept upping the pressure and more chances arrived through Kalimuendo, Andy Diouf, and Matate before they finally broke the deadlock on 19 minutes. Cherki got caught in the Kiwi defence just outside the box, but the ball ricocheted off Joe Bell right into the path of Mateta who finished beautifully with a flicked effort into the net.
The game went flat afterwards with France losing the urgency in their play and New Zealand just not able to find much of a way into proceedings. The Kiwis' only notable chance in the first half arrived on 28 minutes through a long-range effort from Ben Waine that was blocked in the box and the following corner that Bradley Locko stopped from Sarpreet Singh.
New Zealand's defence stood firm though and held off a number of half-chances from France with especially Cherki looking up for another goal.
The Kiwis had the brighter restart with the first real chance of the second half going their way when Matthew Garbett intercepted a sloppy clearance and sliced a low, driving effort just past the near post.
Despite some glimpses of brilliance - Diouf, Doue, Cherki and Mateta again the main men for the home favourites - France weren't able to match the high, attacking-pace they displayed early in the first half.
However, just as some cracks were starting to appear in the French play, they woke up again in the late stages and added two more goals to their tally in quick succession. Diouf got into the box on 71 minutes and although he got tackled, there was some good fortune in how the ball broke. Doue picked it out, cut it back and sent it past Paulsen for the 0-2.
Three minutes later, an attempted shot from Doue was blocked, but it came back for Kalimuendo who stayed well composed, had a good touch on his right foot and cut it back past Paulsen at the near post.
A wonderful solo effort from Maghne Akliouche, who beat five defenders in the process, and a header from Kalimuendo couldn't quite find the target and although Michael Olise and Diouf did a lovely job of linking up in the box, Paulsen read it perfectly to stop their attempt.
New Zealand too had a last shot at a consolation goal when Lachlan Bayliss forced Obed Nkambadio into action with a stinging effort from 25 yards out, but the French keeper tipped it over the bar.
In the end, there was nothing New Zealand could do to stop France who are now headed for a box office match versus Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Player of the Match - Desire Doue (France)
Besides a lovely finish for France's second goal, Doe impressed across the match with inch-perfect passes and great success in duels. The 19-year-old was instrumental in most of France's attacking moves and certainly made a difference for Les Bleus.
A great effort from the youngest member of the team.
An honourable mention must also go to Cherki: three shots on target plus seven further shots - more than any of his teammates - made Cherki stand out in this match. Although it wasn't quite enough for a goal, the midfielder was involved in almost all pieces of action and instrumental in France's forward drive while he was on the pitch.
This might have just been the performance Cherki needed to convince coach Thierry Henry to start him in the quarter-finals.
Player Ratings
NEW ZEALAND: Alex Paulsen 8, Michael Boxall 5, Sam Sutton 5, Tyler Bindon 6, Finn Surman 6, Joe Bell 5, Matt Garbett 6, Ben Waine 6, Sarpreet Singh 6, Lukas Kelly-Heald 5, Oskar van Hattum 4, Lachlan Bayliss 7, Matthew Sheridan 5, Jay Herdman 5, Fin Conchie 5
FRANCE: Obed Nkambadio 6, Chrislain Matsima 6, Soungoutou Magassa 6, Castello Lukeba 7, Bradley Locko 7, Johann Lepenant 7, Andy Diouf 8, Desire Doue 9, Rayan Cherki 9, Jean-Philippe Mateta 8, Arnaud Kalimuendo 8, Michael Olise 8, Maghnes Akliouche 7, Loic Bade 6, Joris Chotard 6
Match Highlights
'19 GOAL! (MATETA) NEW ZEALAND 0-1 FRANCE - It was coming and there is the opening goal for France, albeit a slightly unfortunate one for New Zealand. Cherki gets caught in the Kiwi defence and the ball ricochets off Bell right into the path of Mateta who finishes beautifully with a flicked effort into the net.
'71 GOAL! (DOUE) NEW ZEALAND 0-2 FRANCE - France double their advantage as Diouf breaks into the box and although he gets tackled, there's some good fortune in how the ball breaks. Doue picks it out, cuts it back and sends it past Paulsen for the 0-2.
'74 GOAL! (KALIMUENDO) NEW ZEALAND 0-3 FRANCE - And suddenly it's looking easy for France! After a link-up in the box, an attempted shot from Doue is blocked, but it comes back for Kalimuendo who stays well composed, has a good touch on his right foot and cuts it back past Paulsen at the near post.
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