Mexico U23 4-1 France U23 summary: score, goals, highlights, 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Mexico 4-1 France: as it happened
Mexico off to a flying start at Olympics
Having won the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, Mexico justified their dark horse status with a convincing win over France in Group A, courtesy of second-half goals from Alexis Vega, Sebastian Cordova, Uriel Antuna and Erick Aguirre.
Scroll down to see how the game unfolded and what the reaction to it was like.
Coming up next on AS English is another one of the potential winners of the title as Brazil take on Germany. Join the build up and live action now.
Gignac's muted celebration
Tigres’ all-time top scorer, Andre-Pierre Gignac, was very apologetic after knocking home a penalty for France to make it 2-1. After playing in Liga MX for six years there is a lot of feeling there.
Maybe he was therefore happy when El Tri ran out clear winners.
Mexico keeping their promise
They said it would be worth it and after their four goals they now feel rather smug about that claim.
Mexico 4-1 France
Mexico had seven shots on target and converted four. Clinical.
Stats via SofaScore
MOTM - Alexis Vega (Mexico)
The forward marked an impressive day with a fine header past Bernardoni in the France goal.
Mexico get off to a flyer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a resounding 4-1 win over Les Bleus in their Group A opener.
FT: Mexico 4-1 France
We're into the final 60 seconds...
Mexico 4-1 France
Substitute Eduardo Aguirre buries a shot past Bernardoni to make it 4-1. Aguirre gives the France netminder no chance from a tight angle on the right-hand side of the box.
Muani heads straight at Ochoa. It's only a half chance and an easy one for the 36-year-old between the posts.
Mexico make another change
OFF Martin
ON Aguirre
Mexico change
OFF Vega
ON Alvarado
Michelin shoots well over from distance. Definitely not a 3-star shot.
Mexico get ready to make another change.
MEXICO 3-1 FRANCE
It's a super run and goal from the sub. Antuna drives across the box and lets fly off his left foot from the edge of the box. The ball smashes off the post and goes it to all but seal it for Mexico with just under 10 minutes remaining.
ANTUNA MAKES IT 3!!!
Antuna shoots!
It's nearly 3 for Mexico! Antuna finds himself down the right, shoots across the France goal and it rolls just wide. Still 2-1 to Mexico.
Vasquez heads away a France cross from the right. Les Bleus have their tails up now after Gignac's penalty.
Double change for Mexico
OFF Lainez & Cordova
ON Esquivel & Antuna
Game on! There are 20 minutes left in Tokyo, plus added time.
Mexico 2-1 France
Ochoa dives to his left. Gignac sends his penalty just under the keeper's arm. Ochoa will be disappointed with that one.
Gignac has the ball in his hands.
Gignac vs Ochoa
Muani is taken down by Montes in the box...
Penalty for France!
ROMO!
Romo finds himself free 30 yards from goal, takes one look at the France goal and unleashes a long range strike that sails over. A third goal for Mexico would surely put this one to bed.
France continue to push. This time Le Fée drives a cross into the danger zone from the left wing. Ochoa springs off his line to collect.
Caci shoots!
The France full-back opens up his body on the right-hand side of the box, before curling an shot just wide of Ochoa's post. A good effort. 2-0
France change
OFF Nordin
ON Kolo Muani
France change
OFF Tousart
ON Beka Beka
Gignac finds himself offside.
Mexico's forward finds himself in acres of space on the edge of the box and fires beyond Bernardoni to make it 2-0. A fine strike after a nice through ball over the top of the France defence by Rodriguez. France are all over the place. 2-0
Cordova doubles Mexico's lead!
Nordin shoots well wide for France. A poor effort by all accounts.
A super start to the second half for Mexico. France will have to lift their game now.
Mexico 1-0 France (Vega)
It's that man Lainez down the right again. He turns France inside out before crossing for Vega, who makes no mistake with a thumping header into the net, giving Bernardoni no chance.
VEGA SCORES FOR MEXICO!
Cordova hits the post after a spectacular bit of play, taking it on his chest before volleying past Bernardoni. It's offside!
Gignac gets us underway for the second half!
The players make their way back onto the pitch for the second half!
Mexico vs France: “The best goal I’ve scored was against Guillermo Ochoa” - André-Pierre Gignac
The coach of the French Olympic team, Sylvain Ripoll, decided to include André-Pierre Gignac in the 19-player roster that traveled to Tokyo. The Tigres UANL striker is one of the three players above the age of 23 that are allowed to play in the Olympic tournament and he's desperate to win a trophy with the national team after failing to win UEFA Euro 2016.
And the first half comes to a close. A very interesting opening 45 minutes. France have failed to handle Mexico down the right, but it remains goalless at the break.
HT: Mexico 0-0 France
There will be two minutes added on at the end of the 45'.
Mexico's defence defend well as France look to break them down. Mexico regain possession and build out from the back.
France have had great success at international level (two World Cups, two Euros and a couple of Confederations Cups), but they have only been able to win the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Since then they have been absent without leave and they last qualified in 1996.
Nordin is fouled by Montes. It's a France free and a warning for Montes.
Cordova chance!
The ball falls to Cordova on the edge of the box. He sends his effort just wide of Bernardoni's right-hand post.
France are having their spell of the half now after an impressive opening half an hour from Mexico. Vega had the best chance of the game, but Sagnan cleared off the line. Les Bleus have yet to conjure up any real chances but are beginning to get into it more.
Ochoa saves!
Nordin hits it well from just inside the box. It's going high into the top right-hand corner. The former Granada keeper gets a big left hand to the strike. The resulting corner is cleared by Mexico.
Gignac is fed, finally. Savanier picks the 35-year-old out with a fine ball. Gignac has his back to goal, spins on the spot and directs his header low to Ochoa's left. France are now looking to play narrow. 0-0
Mexico have been the better team in the opening 25 minutes. France's game plan hasn't worked thus far, with Gignac looking quite isolated up top.
Sagnan clears another Diego Lainez cross from the right. Sanchez and the Betis winger have caused France problems down the right since the get-go.
Mexico go so close again!
Lainez does superbly well to get to the byline after a mazy run. Martin is in the box, he looks for the striker but the French defence stand strong. Mexico have really upped the ante.
Sagnan clears off the line!
It's the best chance of the game so far. Vega rounds two French defenders before sliding under Bernardoni. Sagnan is on the line to clear and it remains 0-0.
Michelin picks up the first yellow of the game for a late challenge. He can have no complaints about that one.
Sanchez flies forward from right-back to cross for Martin but his effort is blocked by Kalulu. 0-0
Savanier shoots!
It's a poor effort from around 25 yards. Ochoa watches it as it goes wide and out for a goalkick.
Today's venue is the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, where Sweden defeated the USWNT 3-0 yesterday.
Thauvin picks out Gignac with a cross from the right but the experienced striker is unable to direct his header into the corner. More positive play for France.
It has been a lively start for both sides. Gignac is leading the line for France. Lainez of Real Betis will be looking to showcase his talents for Mexico, who are captained by the experienced goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa.
France, in all white, are playing from left to right as we watch it.
Mexico are wearing green socks, red shorts, and their famous green shirt.
We're underway in Tokyo!
It's Mexico vs France...
Group-stage schedule:
Group A: Japan, France, Mexico, South Africa
22 July: Mexico vs France, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, 5pm local time/4am EDT
22 July: Japan vs South Africa, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, 8pm local time/7am EDT
25 July: France vs South Africa, Saitama Stadium, Saitama, 5pm local time/4am EDT
25 July: Japan vs Mexico, Saitama Stadium, Saitama, 8pm local time/7am EDT
28 July: France vs Japan, International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, 8:30pm local time/7:30am EDT
28 July: South Africa vs Mexico, Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, 8:30pm local time/7:30am EDT
Kick-off in Tokyo is just 20 minutes away!
Men's and women's Olympic soccer schedule: dates, times, games, groups
There are 16 men's teams battling it out for gold at this year's Olympics.
The 16 participating nations have been split into four groups of four, with the top two in each section qualifying for the eight-team knockout stages.
This summer's Olympic tournament for under-24s
Due to the 12-month delay to the 2020 Games, this summer’s men’s soccer tournament will actually be an under-24 competition.
This is because early last year, following the announcement that the Tokyo Olympics had been postponed until 2021, FIFA confirmed that the eligibility cut-off point originally established for the 2020 event would not be changed.
To compete in Japan, non-overage players must have been born on or after 1 January 1997.
Why is the men's Olympic soccer tournament for under-23s?
The men’s soccer tournament at the Summer Olympics is restricted to under-23s as part of a drive to preserve the FIFA World Cup’s status as the men’s game’s premier international event.
What time does Mexico vs France kick off?
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games soccer match between Mexico and France will kick off at the Ajinomoto Stadium, on Thursday 22 July 2021 at 4:00 am EDT and 1:00 am PDT.
That’s 10:00 am CEST and 9:00 am UK time.
The 2012 gold medalists vs the 2018 world champions
France have had great success at international level (two World Cups, two Euros and a couple of Confederations Cups), but they have only been able to win the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Since then they have been absent without leave and they last qualified in 1996.
France's rising stars haven’t travelled to Japan, as some of them already played at the European Championship and others have been withdrawn by their club sides, meaning that most of Sylvain Ripoll’s squad is full of Ligue 1 players.
Mexico U23 vs France U23: times, TV and how to watch online
All the information you need on how and where to watch Mexico U23 take on France U23 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games soccer tournament on July 22.
Mexico U23 vs France U23 live: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of this 2020 Tokyo Olympics Group A encounter between Mexico U23s and France U23s. Kick-off is at 10:00 CEST / 04:00 ET.