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Radio France Internationale
Sport
Paul Myers

France and Argentina to meet in last eight of men's Olympic football tournament

France skipper Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his side's first goal in the 3-0 victory over New Zealand. The win set up a quarter-final game against Argentina in the men's Olympic football tournament. AP - Daniel Cole

France set up a quarter-final showdown on Friday with Argentina in the men's Olympic football tournament after beating New Zealand 3-0 in their final game of the group stages.

Skipper Jean-Philippe Mateta, Désiré Doué and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored for the hosts in Marseille on Tuesday night.

In the early match on Tuesday, Argentina sealed their spot in the knockout stages as runners-up in Group B following a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyon.

Thiago Almada gave Argentina the lead just after half-time and substitute Claudio Echeverri sealed their victory late on.

The clash between France and Argentina comes just two weeks after midfielder Enzo Fernandez posted a video on social media showing several Argentina players celebrating their Copa America success with a song chanted by diehard fans which spews racist and homophobic slurs about France players.

World football's governing body Fifa announced an investigation into the abuse after the French football federation lodged a complaint.

"With everything that has happened recently, everyone in France was affected, so we will see what happens in the quarter-finals," said Mateta.

Challenge

"Argentina are the reigning world champions and are a team who always get to the finals of tournaments," he added. "But we will celebrate our victory first and then gently build up to that match."

Morocco, who claimed Group B with a 3-0 cruise past Iraq in Nice, will take on the United States who finished behind France in Group A.

Egypt claimed top spot in Group C after overcoming Spain 2-1. The Africans will play Paraguay while Japan, the Group D victors, will face Spain.

Argentina are seeking a third men's Olympic football gold medal after triumphs in 2004 and 2008. And they are likely to face a hostile reception at the match at the Matmut Atlantique

"We know what it means playing France but to get to the final we have to beat whoever is in front of us," striker Julian Alvarez told broadcaster TyC Sports.

"We started with a defeat and were really angry about the first game but we have managed to bounce back."

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