On a wild opening day for the 2024 Olympic men's football competition, the USA came within the crossbar's width of taking the lead against hosts France on Wednesday.

But mere moments later, Alexandre Lacazette drilled the ball into the back of the Americans' net – and when Michael Olise added a second for the French side, they were on their way to a 3-0 win.

"It was unfortunate – on another day maybe it goes in," said Djordje Mihailovic, whose long-range effort came back off the bar when the Group A game in Marseille was still goalless in the second half. "I think most importantly, (we need to) emotionally recover because we were in the game for the first 70 minutes, even after they scored, we responded very well."

Earlier in the day, Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 in a game that was suspended for about two hours after fans invaded the pitch deep into stoppage time.

The USA looked like they could produce another upset while repeatedly opening France up in the first Olympic game for American men since 2008.

"I can't say anything to the players. They were in the right spot," USA coach Marko Mitrovic said. "I have that feeling inside that we didn't deserve to lose this way."

The USA never came closer than Mihailovic's effort, and France made the most of their good fortune – responding with stunning strikes from Lacazette in the 61st minute and Olise in the 68th.

Loic Bade added the third with a header in the 85th.

"I knew it was going to be tough. You guys never give up," France coach Thierry Henry told American reporters afterward.

"That fighting spirit is always in you. You always believe that you can come back. I know that. I played in MLS (Major League Soccer), I coached in MLS, so I know that's something that you have."

It was two moments of quality that ultimately put France in control, with former Arsenal striker Lacazette driving low from around 20 yards past USA goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

New Bayern Munich signing Olise curled a shot from distance into the same corner.

Bade's header effectively put the game away, and saw France move to the top of Group A ahead of New Zealand, which beat Guinea 2-1.

"There was definitely stuff to make us feel good going into the next two matches," Mihailovic said.

Other games on Wednesday:

Spain 2-1 Uzbekistan

New Zealand 2-1 Guinea

Egypt 0-0 Dominican Republic

Iraq 2-1 Ukraine

Japan 5-0 Paraguay

Mali 1-1 Israel