USA crushes New Zealand for first men's soccer Olympic win since 2008

July 27 (UPI) -- The United States scored a trio of early goals to spark a dominant win over New Zealand, earning their first victory in a men's Olympic soccer tournament since 2008 on Saturday in Marseille, France.

The 4-1 triumph at Marseille Stadium also kept the Americans alive in Group A after an ugly tournament-opening lost to France. Defender Walker Zimmerman, forward Paxten Aaronson and midfielder Gianluca Busio scored in Saturday's victory.

The Americans outshot New Zealand 17-8 and scored three times within the first 30 minutes.

Mihailovic started the scoring by netting a penalty kick in the 8th minute. He set up a second score less than five minutes later. The midfielder sent in a free kick from the right side for that score.

The feed drifted into the box and bounced into several players before dropped in front of the net.

3 GOALS IN 30 MINUTES. #ParisOlympics

USA and Peacock pic.twitter.com/q3w4VZR0o9 — NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2024

Zimmerman then finished the play by poking a shot past New Zealand goalie Alex Paulsen.

Forward Kevin Paredes helped set up a third American goal in the 30th minute. He received a feed in the right side of the box before dropping a pass back to Busio. Busio then attempted a shot, which was blocked by the New Zealand defense.

The ball bounced back to the midfielder, who used his right boot to curl a shot into the right side of the net.

Forward Griffin Yow assisted Aaronson for a 4-0 lead in the 58th minute. Yow sparked that score with a long run up the left flank. He then carried his dribble into the box and fired a pass to Aaronson, who used his first touch to beat a diving Paulsen with a shot inside the far-post netting.

Midfielder Matthew Garbett assisted forward Jesse Randall for New Zealand's lone score in the 78th minute.

The Americans will wrap up Paris Olympics group play against Guinea at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Saint-Etienne. The American women, who dismantled Zambia 3-0 in their Olympic opener, will take on Germany in their second Group B match at 3 p.m. Sunday in Marseille.

IT'S TWO.

The United States are off to a flying start against New Zealand. #ParisOlympics USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/5EuQ33jiRV — NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2024

Earlier Saturday, Argentina beat Iraq 3-1 in a men's Group B match in Lyon. Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez scored for the Argentines.

Spain beat the Dominican Republic 3-1 in a Group C match in Bordeaux. Miguel Gutierrez, Alex Baena and Fermin Lopez scored for Spain.

Dmytro Kryskiv and Ihor Krasnopir led Ukraine to a 2-1 win over Morocco in a Group B meeting in Saint-Etienne. Ahmed Koka scored an 11th-minute goal to lead Egypt past Uzbekistan for a Group C triumph in Nantes.

Marcelo Fernandez scored twice to lead Paraguay to a 4-2 win over Israel in a Group D match in Paris. Fabian Balbuena and Julio Enciso also scored for Paraguay.