Olympic Men's Football Upsets: First-Round Shocks

A Round of Surprises on Day One

The first round of the Olympic men's football tournament in Tokyo brought unexpected twists, thrilling fans and shocking analysts alike. Held on July 22, all 16 teams kicked off their group stage campaigns, and the results left many speechless.

Group C: Major Favorites Falter

Group C was the epicenter of surprises. The Spanish national team, one of the top contenders for gold, faced off against Egypt. Despite their star-studded lineup featuring Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos, Spain failed to convert multiple chances. The match ended 0-0, and to make matters worse, Ceballos sustained an injury that could affect their future games.

In the other Group C clash, Australia shocked Argentina with a 2-0 win. Argentina, one of the tournament’s traditional powerhouses, was reduced to 10 men in the first half. Australia took full advantage and controlled the second half to secure a memorable victory.

Group A: Mexico Stuns France

In Group A, another major upset occurred as Mexico thrashed France 4-1. The French defense struggled throughout the match, and Mexico’s quick passing and relentless attacks broke through time and time again. France only managed to get on the scoresheet through a late penalty, offering little consolation.

Host Nation Japan Starts Strong

Japan, the host country, kicked off their Olympic campaign with a 1-0 win over South Africa. Kubo Kenei scored the only goal of the game after several missed opportunities by the Japanese side. Their dominance on the pitch was clear, even if the scoreline remained close.

More Shocks: South Korea and Argentina Disappointed

Meanwhile, South Korea suffered a surprising 0-1 defeat to New Zealand, a team not widely regarded as a football powerhouse. This result added to the growing list of Olympic men's football upsets from the opening day.

Other Match Results

• Côte d’Ivoire defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1.

• Romania edged past Honduras 1-0.

Final Thoughts

The first round of the Olympic men's football upsets sets the stage for a highly unpredictable tournament. With traditional giants struggling and underdogs rising, fans can expect more thrilling action in the rounds to come.

Source: EasyWin Nigeria