Tokyo: Andre-Pierre Christian Gignac scored a hat-trick as France registered their first victory at the Tokyo Olympics mens’ football event edging South Africa 4-3 in a Group A encounter on Sunday.
Former champions Germany too won big triumphing 3-0 over Saudi Arabia while hosts Japan made it two in two with a 2-1 win over Mexico. After a barren first half, at the Saitama Stadium, Gignac scored in 57th, 78th and 86th minutes to lead France to victory.
Teji Savanier scored fourth for the 2018 world champions. South Africa had missed a spot-kick in the first half. At the same venue, Germany kept their hopes alive with a hard-fought win over the Arabs. It was a game fought till the end, with Germany taking the lead twice eventually missing out to the Arabs.
🇯🇵 Japan remain perfect 👌
🇩🇪 Germany and Argentina revive 🇦🇷
🇫🇷 Gignac leads goalscoring list 🔢
All the news and results from an action-packed middle matchday reviewed
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Ohis Felix scored the winner for the Germans. Meanwhile, Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal helped Spain clinch a narrow 1-0 victory over Australia in Group C. Australia had earlier stunned Argentina 3-0 in their first game. On the other hand, the newly-crowned Copa America champions Argentina opened their account with a 1-0 victory over Egypt. Facundo Medina’s lone goal made the difference.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast held defending champions Brazil to a 0-0 draw, whereas New Zealand fell short against Honduras 2-3. South Korea ran a rampage over Romania with a comfortable 4-0 win.
