New Zealand - USA: summary, score, goals, highlights 2024 Olympics soccer
New Zealand - USA: as it happened
USA make light work of New Zealand:
The US thundered to an emphatic 0-4 win over New Zealand, but they did not have to be at their best to do so.
An early penalty conceded by the Kiwis set the tone for a forgetful afternoon in Marseille, and New Zealand never recovered after Mihailovic slid the ball into the bottom corner of Paulsen's goal.
The second goal came soon after. Before the 15 minute mark, another moment of madness saw a simple ball left loose inside the box, and 31-year-old Zimmerman was the quickest to move and stab home.
An energetic Busio prodded in number three on the half-hour mark following more lacklustre pressure, and the feeling permeating the ground, even at this early stage, was that there was no way back.
Paxten Aaronson got goal number four following a bursting run against the tired legs of the team who knew it was not their night. A shot from close range found the bottom corner and a consolation goal from Randall was nowhere near enough to turn frowns into smiles.
Despite the barrage of goals, the US never needed to be at their best and were not tested in any moment of the game, save for a few crosses from Singh and Garbett, New Zealand's standout players.
Up next for Mitrovic's side is a game against Guinea, while New Zealand will take on Group A leaders, France.
That's all, folks!
Thanks for tuning in, make sure you head over to AS USA for all the Olympic coverage!
Joe
A huge result!
Well, that's one way to make amends for a match day 1 defeat...
FULL-TIME!
What a win for the USA!
McGlynn off the bar!
I told you, he's never scoring again!
HUGE MISS!
Taylor Booth works wonders on the right where his cross is sent to Aaronson just yards from goal. His effort is blocked out to Yow, who sees his shot deflected wide!
Tolkin fires an early cross towards Yow who darts in behind but the ball is too deep for the forward to get a touch.
4 added minutes.
McGlynn, who will surely never score another goal in professional football, fires a shot straight at Paulsen from inside the box. He curses skyward.
A cheeky moment of skill from Gillion sees his slip the ball through the legs of Zimmerman, but there are too many bodies in the way for him to have a clear sight of goal.
Yow races down the left and burns past Surman before sending in a cross that's eventually collected by Paulsen.
Tired legs are clear to see as passes are not finding their intended target from both sides, and late boots are being left in on challenges.
Ouch. Aaronson is down after a big tackle from van Hattum.
New Zealand sub:
OFF: Singh
ON: Gillion
All of a sudden it's squeaky bum time for the USA who fail to defend a pair of crosses from the side in black.
The US are keeping the ball now and keeping their opponents, who want another taste of what it's like to score, at bay.
The ball is worked well down the left and is sent towards the penalty spot by Singh. Randall spins on the ball and swings a leg round, sending the ball into the top right corner. A shake of the head from US coach Mitrovic says it all.
It's so nearly goal number five!
The ball rolls agonisingly across goal after Tolkin's cross was flicked on inside the six-yard box. What a huge chance for Yow.
I can't recall a decent chance for New Zealand: of the two shots on target (compared to 8 from the US), none of them have threatened the lead.
The Kiwi is a highly endangered species but even so they're having a better time than these guys on the pitch.
HUGE CHANCE
Booth goes on a sensational run up the right wing and slips the ball in behind to Yow. The cross is aimed at the far post, but Joe Bell does superbly well to slide in and clear just yards from goal.
Some nice possession ends for New Zealand when Randall meets Zimmerman on the edge of the box. I'll just say that strength beat youth in that battle.
Twenty minutes to go...
More USA changes:
OFF: Paredes, Harriel
ON: Cremaschi, Booth
McGlynn, who is desperate to score, drags a left-footed shot just wide of the far post.
A delightful cross fromGarbett is well defended. On a dark day, the NAC Breda player has been a bright light.
Griffin Yow has been a very busy boy since his arrival on the pitch. The forward is absolutely everywhere and up for everything, like the annoying friend in the group.
The player was marginally offside when the ball reached his feet on the left wing. He thundered a shot into the far corner of the goal, but it won't count and we're back to just the four.
OFFSIDE!
NO GOAL!
McGlynn with a wonderful strike!
Harriel drives forward and sees his shot deflected behind...
Half an hour to go and we're back underway. Kiwis crumbling.
GOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!! PAXTEN!!!
Yow drives forward down the left and cuts it back to Aaronson, who is in acres of space.
He spins and shoots towards the far post; almost in slow motion, the ball bounces into the corner of Paulsen's goal.
Game over.
US changes:
OFF: McGuire, Mihailovic
ON: Yow, Dietz
McGlynn goes for goal from range as the USA come foward and in the end, it's a solid save from Paulsen who could well have been caught out by the dip on the ball.
The US are incredibly comfortable with how things are going here. It's lots of possession at the back for the Kiwis as they sit off and watch.
The pace has slowed dramatically over the past 3 minutes as New Zealand now try to draw the US out of their solid mid-block, which isn't budging.
New Zealand have had the majority of the ball so far in the second half, but they're yet to carve out anything worthwhile.
Jesse Randall slides a pass inside towards the underlapping Sam Sutton, but the full-back can't get there and Zimmerman slides over to cover.
The intensity from the side in black has certainly increased after the break. Rockets, it seems, were fired up proverbials...
Well, let's see if those attacking changes from Bazeley have an impact on the game.
New Zealand changes:
OFF: Bayliss, Herdman
ON: Randall, van Hattum
New Zealand have started strongly, with new boy van Hattum flying down the right and sending in a dangerous cross.
And we're off!
Second half underway!
We're expecting a couple of changes to the New Zealand side, with Darren Bazeley clearly unhappy.
Plenty of you have been asking us where Mr Christian Pulisic is hiding during this game, so here's the answer to why he's not playing.
Busio went off injured
The only bad mark on the first half for the US was the injury to Busio, who could be seen with ice on his leg at half-time.
Half-time musings:
The early penalty set the tone of the game, with Harriel being brought down by Garbett, who lunged in stupidly on his opponent. It was slid into the net by Mihailovic, and from then on it was a canter for the side in white, who have piled on the pressure for 45 minutes.
The second game soon after, when a scramble saw Zimmerman stab past Paulsen from close range and things got worse when another failed attempt to clear their lines saw Busio poke a shot home from inside the box.
No chances of note have come from the Kiwis, who need to radically change things if they want to mount a comeback.
HALF-TIME!
Well, that was about as one-way-trafficy as it gets in football.
Both teams look happy to see the half out: the US aren't in need of another goal and the Kiwis don't want to attack and potentially leave any gaps at the back.
Singh tries to thread a ball through to Herdman, but it doesn't stick and the US recover after a sloppy loss close to their own goal.
It's Singh again in the middle of things, but this time he's penalised for a shove on Harriel, who has been impressive this half.
The first card of the game goes to Tessman, who trips Sarpreet Singh as he breaks away through the middle.
7 added minutes.
We're into the final minute of normal time in the first half and the New Zealand side are controlling the ball on the edge of the US box.
A couple of switches of play from Robinson and then Paredes sends the New Zealand heads spinning on necks that are already aching from earlier troubles. It's like watching a cat toying around with a ball of wool.
Tolkin swings a leg at Garbett's ambitious cross from the left and New Zealand really are resorting to hit-and-hope tactics as the first half edges to a close.
Five to go of normal time. The USA are cruising.
Busio just got a h big hug and kiss from Marko Mitrovic on the sidelines. He looks to be walking as normal so let's see what the medical report says after the game.
And his night is over...
OFF: Busio
ON: McGlynn
We're back underway. Busio is getting treatment on the sideline.
Busio is down and receiving treatment.
What's the record scoreline in Olympic football?
I'll tell you. Denmark’s 17-1 win over France at London 1908 is the highest victory margin at the Olympics. New Zealand have been terrible, but I don't think we'll see that today.
Woof. The US come again and win a corner. What's the record scoreline in an Olympic football game?
Back underway.
Tolkin goes on an adventure and races forward before sending a low cross to the far post from the corner of the box. It lands with Paredes who scuffs a poor effort into the feet of a defender.
We thought that was bad but the clearance was worse, and it lands at Busio's feet, who only needs to poke it past Paulsen from the penalty spot.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!! BUSIO MAKES IT THREE!
And that, dear reader, looks like the killer blow.
This New Zealand team aren't a bad unit at all: they're moving the ball around nicely and have had some nice touches. However, they have dug a hole for themselves that is so deep I'm not sure that, at this rate, they can climb out of it.
Play is finally stopped after the referee deems Paredes not to be trying it on with his various rolls on the ground. The whistle goes as the winger makes a full recovery.
CHANCE!
Busio sends Aaronson's cross towards goal from close range but it's a good block from Boxall, who reads the effort well and gets down to direct it away.
SAVE FROM SCHULTE!
Garbett goes for goal from distance and forces Schulte into a superb save to keep the two goal lead alive!
The US mid-block is giving a lot of relaxed possession to New Zealand's defenders on halfway, and they look capable of picking out a pass. Let's see if anything comes of it, as Mitrovic may ask for a higher line.
We're twenty minutes in and it's been an onslaught from the US, who have dominated their opponents without being that impressive. They've been much better than their opponents so far, but it's not a high bar.
Some nice work down the left from Herdman almost ends in a corner for the losing side, but Harriel stands strong and Herr Nyman gives a goalkick.
New Zealand's players are asking for a penalty but I'm not convinced. Singh went down under a challenge but I think most sparrow species would have been able to withstand the force of the 'push' from the US defender.
The US break (again) and New Zealand are at sixes and sevens (again), with ridiculous tackles flying in on the white shirts. The nerves are high from the Kiwis, as well as the anger levels, which are also in the red zone.
We're back underway and there are very many angry faces in the crowd...
A scramble inside the box sends bodies flying left, right and centre, and it seems like Walker Zimmerman is the last player to get a touch on the ball that squeezes underneath Paulsen in the New Zealand goal.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLL!!! IT'S TWO FOR THE USA!
Zimmerman, I think, got the final touch on a scrappy goal that makes you think things could get messy...
New Zealand are having their best spell of game so far, with Singh trying to defy the laws of physics and quantum tunnel through a line of defenders on the edge of the box. He gets brought to ground, but no free-kick is given.
And we're back underway. The Kiwis have it all to do...
GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! THE US ARE AHEAD
A simple stroke of the ball into the bottom right corner gives the Stars and Stripes a perfect start to the game.
Mihailovic to take.
Garbett was the culprit...
It's a stonewall penalty there, a really clumsy decision from the defender to stick a leg in on Harriel, who was clearly tripped.
PENALTY TO THE USA!
Easy decision for the referee.
This is an incredibly intense start from the USA, who are crunching into tackles in the middle channel of the pitch, piling the pressure on Garbett and Bell in the Kiwi midfield.
The USA pounce and Paxten is almost away down the left, but Surman sticks a foot in and the ball bounces behind for another corner...
The first touches from New Zealand are cautious and measured, sliding the ball across the back four as we get to see the US' defensive mid-block in action.
SAVE!
It's a strong start from the USA who thunder forward and it's Tolkin who smashes a shot towards goal from the edge of the box. The dipping shot is well saved by Paulsen.
And we're off!
The US get us going from right to left.
New Zealand are in all black, while the USA are wearing all white.
There are plenty of happy fans in the stands as we hear the national anthems, although I'd love to ban face paint on over-30s.
Here we go!
Both teams are on the pitch!
The players are in the tunnel!
Weather check:
Temperature: 30º
Humidity: 51%
The atmosphere is building!
I won't lie, it's not close to being full, but those who are here are having a great time!
Fifteen minutes to go!
The warmups are winding down and the players are slowly but surely making their way into the dressing rooms ahead of kick-off!
Get counting!
Remember, we've got a live Olympic medal tracker right here for you to bookmark and keep handy whenever Auntie Nora - who is not interested in sports -randomly asks you who's in the lead.
Then you say 'I'm not sure, actually' and they reply 'but I thought you were a journalist?'.
This has never happened to me, of course, I'm just imagining it.
A reminder of the starting teams:
NEW ZEALAND:
GK: Paulsen
DEF: Sutton - Boxall - Surman - Bindon
MID: Garbett - Bell - Singh - Bayliss - Herdman
ATT: Waine
USMNT:
GK: Schulte
DEF: Tolkin - Zimmerman - Robinson - Harriel
MID: Tessman - Mihailovic - Busio
ATT: Aaronson - McGuire - Paredes
Did you miss this one yesterday?
It was quite the mixup. Getting Sweden confused with Switzerland isn't going to start any wars, but swapping North Korea for South Korea (or vice-versa) is quite the error. That's what happened yesterday, and it has ended up with a public apology.
Half an hour to go!
Both sets of players have made their way out onto the pitch ahead of kick-off for their pre-game routines.
Quick facts!
Paris 2024 marks the New Zealand Olympic Men’s Soccer Team’s fourth participation at the Games, having first qualified for Beijing 2008.
Here's the full referee team:
Referee: NYBERG Glenn
Assistant Referee 1: BEIGI Mahbod
Assistant Referee 2: SODERKVIST Andreas
4th Official: FERNANDEZ Anahi
Match Commissioner: AMRANI Rhali
Match Director: NASSAR Khaled
Video Assistant Referee: del CERRO GRANDE Carlos
Assistant VAR 1: KULCSAR Katalin
NEW ZEALAND XI [4-2-3-1]:
GK: Paulsen
DEF: Sutton - Boxall - Surman - Bindon
MID: Garbett - Bell - Herdman - Singh - Bayliss
ATT: Waine
PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP
Who to watch: Paxten Aaronson
Brother of Brenden, who is currently plying his trade in England's second division, Paxten is showing solid signs of development that many hoped the young prospect would.
The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Eredivisie club Utrecht, after moving to Eintracht Frankfurt from MLS side Philadelphia Union. He's yet to find his forever home, but at such a young age, there's plenty of time to go.
He's a tricky player who is a nightmare for defenders who rarely forget the smell of his aftershave following a pressing nightmare for 90 minutes.
TEAM NEWS IN!
Schulte; Harriel, Zimmerman, Robinson, Tolkin; Busio, Tessmann, Mihailovic; Paredes, McGuire, Aaronson
No changes for the US as they go into their second game of the group.
Match day minus one?
That means there's only one day to go until the United States Women's Team go into their second game of the group stage.
They'll be taking on Germany in a real heavyweight clash early on in the competition, and you'll be able to follow that one on AS USA with yours truly.
Here are the Olympic soccer groups:
Here's a look at which sides have a representative in the Olympic football tournament.
As you can see, there's a wide variety of sides from various continents. Add that to the fact that it's basically an under-23 tournament and you've got yourself one interesting competition full of unknown future stars!
Group A: France, USA, Guinea, NewZealand
Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Ukraine, Iraq
Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic
Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel
Did you know?
This is the first meeting between the U.S. and New Zealand at the Olympic Games.
It’s also the first time that the USA will face a team from Oceania at the Olympics.
We should have the team news very soon...
Both XIs should be announced by the managers any minute now!
Don't miss a beat and stay up to date with the latest medal table at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, today, Saturday July 27, 2024.
New Zealand come off the back of an impressive win
Did you know that the New Zealand football team are known as the 'All Whites', the opposite of their more successful cousins, the 'All Blacks' rugby team?
This is allegedly due to the fact that the traditional referee colour in football is black, making an all-black kit a bit confusing.
Anyway, they beat Guinea 2-1 in their first game of the group, which has put them in a superb position to progress.
USMNT roster:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)
Defenders: Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Caleb Wiley (Chelsea), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders (5): Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)
Forwards: Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht), Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo)
HECTOR VIVAS / Getty Images via AFP
Where's Weston?
No Weston McKennie, no Kylian Mbappé and no Brenden Aaronson. What's the point of watching? Why aren't the global stars playing today?
The reason behind the lack of well-known talent at the Games is due to the fact that the Olympic football tournament is essentially an u-23 competition, with just a few exceptions.
Nicolás Otamendi is certainly not 23, and neither is Leo Messi, who was linked with the squad earlier in the year. That's because each side is allowed a maximum of three overage players with the rest needing to be 23 or under.
Here's how the group looks:
1. France | 3 points
2. New Zealand | 3 points
3. Guinea | 0 points
4. USA | 0 points
The US are rock bottom of the group after a heavy loss to France, as we've discussed. However, a solid game against New Zealand - something many expect - and they'll be back in the race to get through the group.
OK, so things didn't go super smooth in the first game of the Olympic campaign for the US, who ran out of steam against pre-tournament favourites France as they won 3-0 in the Group A opener.
It's not a result to be ashamed of, however, as Les Bleus are an incredibly formidable opponent and the US defended well in the first 45, bringing them down to their level and causing things to be stodgy on the pitch.
Yes, the second half was more open and slightly easier for the French attackers to find space, but they'll do that to you and a loss with positives to take in the first game is far from the worst possible situation.
Fancy watching the game today as well as following on with the text feed? Then delve into Will's handy guide, where you can find all kinds of scheduling and streaming information at you fingertips.
Today's venue:
The Stade Vélodrome, home to Olympique Marseille, is the venue for the game today. It's one of Europe's most iconic stadiums and holds just under 70,000 rowdy fans and we expect the atmosphere inside today to be pretty electric!
Thaier Al-Sudani / REUTERS
Who's the ref?
All of you Allsvenskan nerds have already turned to page 68 of the Referee Spotter's Guide as Herr Glenn Nyberg is well and truly ticked off. The Swede is a seasoned pro at the elite level of European football and has overseen everything from Champions League games to Euros ties and beyond.
So far, he's had a quiet tournament, refereeing the game between Argentina and Morocco which, by all accounts, was a snoozefest...
Team news:
We've got no injuries to report for either side ahead of the game today, with both managers coming into the tie after the first round scratch-free, which is always a bonus.
Hello and welcome!
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of New Zealand vs the United States in the men's football category of the Olympic Games.
The historic sporting tournament has reached the French shores and we're already well underway with the action in Paris and beyond!
It's Joe here on the decks today to guide you through the action, which should getgoing in about 90 minutes.