What to know
- Follow along with latest coverage here
- American tennis phenom Coco Gauff was announced as a flag bearer for Team USA. "When I called my mom, I started crying," Gauff told NBC's "TODAY" show.
- The U.S. fell 3-0 to host nation France in its first match of the men's soccer competition.
- Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s joint most-decorated female Olympian, has withdrawn from the Olympics after a video emerged in which she is alleged to mistreat a horse.
- Stream every moment of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Peacock, starting with the opening ceremony at 12 p.m. ET Friday.
- Read more NBC News coverage of the Games and the athletes competing in Paris.
France defeats U.S. 3-0 in group stage opener
France dominated the U.S. en route to a 3-0 win in the countries’ group stage opener.
The French were held scoreless in the first half despite dominating possession, but the floodgates opened in the second half. An Alexandre Lacazette low strike opened the scoring in the 61st minute, and Michael Olise followed up with a score of his own only eight minutes later. For good measure, Loïc Badé headed in another goal in the 85th minute.
France was the aggressor for most of the 90 minutes, recording more shots and shots on goal and taking six more corners than its opponent.
Both countries were represented by their U23 squads. The U.S. men are participating in the Olympics for the first time since the 2008 Beijing games.
The U.S. next takes the field Saturday against New Zealand.
Israel ties Mali 1-1
Even though Israel surrendered a second-half equalizer, it should consider itself the more fortunate side to come away with a point.
Mali had more shots on goals and corner kicks, 8-2 and 9-1, respectively, and maintained about two-thirds of possession.
Group D play continues Saturday with Israel taking on Paraguay back here at Parc des Princes, while Mali faces Japan in Bordeaux.
France takes 3-0 lead vs. U.S.
France added to its lead late in the second half against the U.S. A header by Loïc Badé in the 85th minute gave the hosts a 3-0 cushion. The goal came from a corner kick.
France scores twice in second half vs. U.S.
France struck first in its opening group stage match vs. the U.S. Then, for good measure, the hosts doubled their lead.
After dominating possession in the first 45 minutes, France finally broke through in the second. French captain Alexandre Lacazette uncorked a shot from outside the box that beat U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to the back left corner of the net to give France a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute.
Then, from a similar spot in the 69th minute, Michael Olise — off a pass by Lacazette — scored, once again hitting the back left corner after a slight deflection off a U.S. defender.
Mali scores, now tied, 1-1, with Israel
A header by Cheickna Doumbia in the 63rd minute tied it, sending Parc des Princes into a frenzy.
Doumbia soared high in the air to knock home the equalizer off a cross by Thiemoko Diarra.
A breakthrough for Israel
Israel finally broke through in the 56th minute as a wild scramble in front of the Mali net ended in an own goal by Hamidou Diallo.
Mali has been on the front foot through most of the match, but Les Aigles will not have to search for the equalizer.
Scoreless in Paris between Mali and Israel
PARIS — The halftime whistle blew with no team breaking through; however, Mali forced more action here at Parc des Princes.
Mali won the battle of shots on goal and corner kicks, 3-0 and 5-0 respectively, while maintaining about two-thirds of possession. But it couldn't beat Israeli goalkeeper Omer Niron in the first 45 minutes.
U.S. and France scoreless at halftime
The U.S. and France entered halftime of their first group stage match scoreless.
France dominated much of the initial 45 minutes, controlling possession, attempting more shots and shooting five corners (to the U.S.’ one.)
France nearly took the lead late in the first half when a left-footed shot by Jean-Philippe Mateta just barely missed the right post. The U.S.’ best opportunity came in the 38th minute, when a shot by Paxten Aaronson was saved in the middle of the net.
The attempt came not long after a foul by the U.S.’ Kevin Paredes drew a yellow card in the 37th minute. It was among many miscues by USA, who were also caught offside three times.
Both countries are being represented by their U23 squads in Paris. The U.S. men are playing in the Olympics for the first time since 2008 in Beijing.
Roaring crowd tonight at Parc des Princes
Even though Israel and Mali don't figure to medal in men's soccer, the atmosphere inside Parc des Princes was electric in the opening moments of this group match.
Loud chants of "Ma-li" and "Is-ra-el" broke out in opening possessions in Paris, home to sizable Malian and Jewish communities.
Fans decked out in Mali's bright green, gold and red and Israel's blue and white were boisterous from the start.
USA-France underway
USA vs. France men's soccer has kicked off in Paris. Here's the full USMNT roster: