The USMNT team made a blistering start to the second match of their 2024 Summer Olympics football schedule as goals from Djordje Mihailovic and Walker Zimmerman gave Marko Mitrovic’s side a 2-0 lead against New Zealand after 10 minutes at the Paris Games.
Colorado Rapids attacker Mihailovic scored Team USA’s first goal of the tournament, converting from the spot following a foul on Nathan Harriel.
Nashville centre-back Zimmerman pounced from close range six minutes later on a rebound following Harriel’s shot.
8′ | Our first Olympic goal scorer in 5,827 days:
Djordje Mihailovic 🫡 pic.twitter.com/BZW24kWlNx
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) July 27, 2024
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2024 Summer Olympics: USMNT flying
Mihailovic is 25 and Zimmerman 31, making them two of their country’s three allocated over-age players in a squad which is otherwise required to consist of members aged under 23.
One of those more youthful participants, Gianluca Busio, continued his country’s charge towards levelling their goal difference by striking at the second time of asking to make it 3-0 after 30 minutes in Marseille.
The flying start to the first half will have been a relief for Mitrovic, who oversaw a 3-0 defeat to tournament favourites France in Team USA’s opener.
D J O R D J E ‼️ pic.twitter.com/BjAzKh03ve
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) July 27, 2024
Mihailovic was unfortunate not to open his account on that occasion, hitting the woodwork shortly before France took a second-half lead.
Team-mate John Tolkin repeated the trick after Alexandre Lacazette gave Les Bleus the lead at the Stade Velodrome.
Team USA results: Knockouts beckon?
Team USA have qualified for the Summer Olympics football tournament four times, exiting after the group stage on three occasions.
That Olympic goal feeling 😁 pic.twitter.com/FyIuREl8VE
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) July 27, 2024
This is their first appearance since 2008, when they finished on a win, draw and loss to emulate their 1992 and 1996 campaigns.
They topped their group with the help of a win over Kuwait in 2000 but were knocked out on penalties by Japan in the quarter-finals.
Earlier on Saturday, Argentina beat Iraq 3-1 and Ukraine saw off Morocco 2-1 in Group B, while Spain defeated the Dominican Republic 3-1 and Egypt won by the only goal of the game against Uzbekistan in Group C.
