Olympics Men’s Football: Argentina Can Finish Group Stage with a Flourish

Japan and Spain have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the Olympic football tournament with hosts France looking likely to join them after also winning their first two group games.

Still, Uzbekistan are the only team already eliminated after two defeats in Group C.

Ukraine vs Argentina (Tuesday, 4pm)
Ukraine’s opening defeat by Iraq was their only loss in their last nine matches.

Both teams have scored in all four Group B matches.
Argentina conceded in added time at the end of the first half in both games so far.

Ukraine’s performances at the Olympics have been better than their record of three points from two games suggests as they were unlucky to lose their first match against Iraq, losing 2-1 despite winning the shot count 11-5 and racking up 3.02 in expected goals.

They got back on track with a late winner to beat Morocco 2-1 and while they should find group favourites Argentina just too strong for them in Lyon on Tuesday, they are capable of getting on the scoresheet in a defeat.

Argentina’s opening defeat by Morocco grabbed all the headlines as a late equaliser was ruled out after a lengthy delay, but they righted the ship with a 3-1 win over Iraq and should get the victory they need to qualify.
Having conceded against both Iraq and Morocco, Javier Mascherano’s side remain vulnerable defensively and both teams should score and concede for the third consecutive game.