Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament – Group A

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Group A of the men's football tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics was played from 22 to 28 July 2021 in Chōfu's Tokyo Stadium, Saitama's Saitama Stadium, Sapporo's Sapporo Dome and Yokohama's International Stadium Yokohama.[1] The group consisted of France, host nation Japan, Mexico and South Africa.[2] The top two teams, Japan and Mexico, advanced to the knockout stage.[3]

Teams[edit]

Draw position Team Pot Confederation Method of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Olympic
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
A1  Japan 1 AFC Hosts 7 September 2013 11th 2016 Bronze medalists (1968)
A2  South Africa 3 CAF 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations third place 22 November 2019 3rd 2016 11th place (2000)
A3  Mexico 2 CONCACAF 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship champions 30 March 2021 12th 2016 Gold medalists (2012)
A4  France 4 UEFA 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finalists 27 June 2019 13th 1996 Gold medalists (1984)

Standings[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Japan (H) 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Mexico 3 2 0 1 8 3 +5 6
3  France 3 1 0 2 5 11 −6 3
4  South Africa 3 0 0 3 3 8 −5 0
Source: TOCOG and FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Hosts

In the quarter-finals,

  • The winners of Group A, Japan, advanced to play the runners-up of Group B, New Zealand.
  • The runners-up of Group A, Mexico, advanced to play the winners of Group B, South Korea.

Matches[edit]

Mexico vs France[edit]

Mexico 4–1 France
Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
Gignac 69' (pen.)
Mexico[4]
France[4]
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)
RB 2 Jorge Sánchez
CB 3 César Montes
CB 5 Johan Vásquez
LB 14 Érick Aguirre
CM 7 Luis Romo
CM 8 Carlos Rodríguez
RW 10 Diego Lainez downward-facing red arrow 72'
AM 17 Sebastián Córdova downward-facing red arrow 72'
LW 11 Alexis Vega Yellow card 20' downward-facing red arrow 84'
CF 9 Henry Martín downward-facing red arrow 88'
Substitutions:
FW 15 Uriel Antuna upward-facing green arrow 72'
MF 16 José Joaquín Esquivel upward-facing green arrow 72'
FW 21 Roberto Alvarado upward-facing green arrow 84'
FW 18 Eduardo Aguirre upward-facing green arrow 88'
Head coach:
Jaime Lozano
GK 1 Paul Bernardoni
RB 13 Clément Michelin Yellow card 16'
CB 2 Pierre Kalulu
CB 15 Modibo Sagnan
LB 17 Anthony Caci Yellow card 75' downward-facing red arrow 90'
CM 11 Téji Savanier
CM 6 Lucas Tousart downward-facing red arrow 60'
RW 14 Florian Thauvin downward-facing red arrow 79'
AM 8 Enzo Le Fée
LW 7 Arnaud Nordin downward-facing red arrow 60'
CF 10 André-Pierre Gignac (c)
Substitutions:
MF 12 Alexis Beka Beka upward-facing green arrow 60'
FW 18 Randal Kolo Muani upward-facing green arrow 60'
FW 9 Nathanaël Mbuku upward-facing green arrow 79'
DF 3 Melvin Bard upward-facing green arrow 90'
Head coach:
Sylvain Ripoll

Assistant referees:
Anton Schetinin (Australia)
George Lakrindis (Australia)
Fourth official:
Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
Video assistant referee:
Fu Ming (China PR)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Abdulkadir Bitigen (Turkey)

Japan vs South Africa[edit]

Japan 1–0 South Africa
Kubo 71' Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
Japan[5]
South Africa[5]
GK 12 Kosei Tani
RB 2 Hiroki Sakai
CB 5 Maya Yoshida (c)
CB 4 Ko Itakura
LB 3 Yuta Nakayama downward-facing red arrow 72'
CM 6 Wataru Endō Yellow card 37'
CM 17 Ao Tanaka
RW 7 Takefusa Kubo
AM 8 Koji Miyoshi downward-facing red arrow 60'
LW 10 Ritsu Dōan Yellow card 57' downward-facing red arrow 85'
CF 19 Daichi Hayashi downward-facing red arrow 72'
Substitutions:
FW 16 Yuki Soma upward-facing green arrow 60'
MF 13 Reo Hatate upward-facing green arrow 72'
FW 18 Ayase Ueda upward-facing green arrow 72'
DF 20 Koki Machida upward-facing green arrow 85'
Head coach:
Hajime Moriyasu
GK 1 Ronwen Williams
CB 5 Luke Fleurs
CB 15 Tercious Malepe (c)
CB 17 Thendo Mukumela downward-facing red arrow 79'
RWB 13 Reeve Frosler
LWB 14 Sibusiso Mabiliso
CM 12 Goodman Mosele downward-facing red arrow 90+1'
CM 8 Thabo Cele
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena
SS 10 Luther Singh
CF 9 Evidence Makgopa
Substitutions:
FW 18 Kobamelo Kodisang upward-facing green arrow 79'
MF 7 Nkosingiphile Ngcobo upward-facing green arrow 90+1'
Head coach:
David Notoane

Assistant referees:
Tulio Moreno (Venezuela)
Lubin Torrealba (Venezuela)
Fourth official:
Kevin Ortega (Peru)
Video assistant referee:
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Edvin Jurisevic (United States)

France vs South Africa[edit]

France 4–3 South Africa
Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
France[6]
South Africa[6]
GK 1 Paul Bernardoni
RB 13 Clément Michelin
CB 2 Pierre Kalulu
CB 5 Niels Nkounkou Yellow card 20'
LB 17 Anthony Caci
CM 11 Téji Savanier Yellow card 68'
CM 6 Lucas Tousart downward-facing red arrow 69'
RW 14 Florian Thauvin downward-facing red arrow 69'
AM 18 Randal Kolo Muani
LW 9 Nathanaël Mbuku downward-facing red arrow 61'
CF 10 André-Pierre Gignac (c)
Substitutions:
MF 8 Enzo Le Fée upward-facing green arrow 61'
FW 7 Arnaud Nordin upward-facing green arrow 69'
MF 12 Alexis Beka Beka upward-facing green arrow 69'
Head coach:
Sylvain Ripoll
GK 1 Ronwen Williams Yellow card 85'
CB 3 Katlego Mohamme
CB 5 Luke Fleurs
CB 15 Tercious Malepe (c)
RM 13 Reeve Frosler downward-facing red arrow 83'
CM 8 Thabo Cele
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena Yellow card 16' downward-facing red arrow 83'
LM 10 Luther Singh
RF 18 Kobamelo Kodisang downward-facing red arrow 78'
CF 9 Evidence Makgopa
LF 7 Nkosingiphile Ngcobo downward-facing red arrow 65'
Substitutions:
MF 6 Kamohelo Mahlatsi upward-facing green arrow 65'
MF 12 Goodman Mosele upward-facing green arrow 78'
DF 17 Thendo Mukumela upward-facing green arrow 83'
DF 2 James Monyane upward-facing green arrow 83'
Head coach:
David Notoane

Assistant referees:
Michael Orué (Peru)
Jesús Sánchez (Peru)
Fourth official:
Leodán González (Uruguay)
Video assistant referee:
Andrés Cunha (Uruguay)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Marco Guida (Italy)

Japan vs Mexico[edit]

Japan 2–1 Mexico
Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
Alvarado 85'
Japan[7]
Mexico[7]
GK 12 Kosei Tani
RB 2 Hiroki Sakai Yellow card 47'
CB 5 Maya Yoshida (c)
CB 4 Ko Itakura
LB 3 Yuta Nakayama
CM 6 Wataru Endō
CM 17 Ao Tanaka Yellow card 48'
RW 7 Takefusa Kubo
AM 10 Ritsu Dōan downward-facing red arrow 80'
LW 16 Yuki Soma downward-facing red arrow 66'
CF 19 Daichi Hayashi downward-facing red arrow 80'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Daizen Maeda upward-facing green arrow 66'
FW 11 Kaoru Mitoma upward-facing green arrow 80'
FW 18 Ayase Ueda upward-facing green arrow 80'
Head coach:
Hajime Moriyasu
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)
RB 2 Jorge Sánchez Yellow card 29'
CB 3 César Montes Yellow card 11'
CB 5 Johan Vásquez Red card 68'
LB 14 Érick Aguirre downward-facing red arrow 43'
CM 7 Luis Romo
CM 8 Carlos Rodríguez Yellow card 25' downward-facing red arrow 57'
RW 10 Diego Lainez downward-facing red arrow 67'
AM 17 Sebastián Córdova
LW 11 Alexis Vega downward-facing red arrow 67'
CF 9 Henry Martín
Substitutions:
DF 6 Vladimir Loroña upward-facing green arrow 43'
MF 16 José Joaquín Esquivel upward-facing green arrow 57'
FW 15 Uriel Antuna upward-facing green arrow 67'
FW 21 Roberto Alvarado upward-facing green arrow 67'
Head coach:
Jaime Lozano

Assistant referees:
Rui Tavares (Portugal)
Paulo Santos (Portugal)
Fourth official:
Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Video assistant referee:
Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Spain)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Adil Zourak (Morocco)

France vs Japan[edit]

France 0–4 Japan
Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
France[8]
Japan[8]
GK 1 Paul Bernardoni
RB 13 Clément Michelin Yellow card 66'
CB 4 Timothée Pembélé Yellow card 58' downward-facing red arrow 62'
CB 2 Pierre Kalulu downward-facing red arrow 62'
LB 17 Anthony Caci
DM 12 Alexis Beka Beka
CM 11 Téji Savanier downward-facing red arrow 38'
CM 6 Lucas Tousart
AM 14 Florian Thauvin
CF 18 Randal Kolo Muani Red card 74'
CF 10 André-Pierre Gignac (c)
Substitutions:
MF 8 Enzo Le Fée upward-facing green arrow 38'
DF 15 Modibo Sagnan upward-facing green arrow 62'
DF 3 Melvin Bard upward-facing green arrow 62'
Head coach:
Sylvain Ripoll
GK 12 Kosei Tani
RB 2 Hiroki Sakai Yellow card 44' downward-facing red arrow 55'
CB 5 Maya Yoshida (c)
CB 14 Takehiro Tomiyasu Yellow card 22'
LB 3 Yuta Nakayama
DM 6 Wataru Endō downward-facing red arrow 72'
CM 17 Ao Tanaka downward-facing red arrow 80'
CM 13 Reo Hatate
RW 7 Takefusa Kubo downward-facing red arrow 46'
LW 10 Ritsu Dōan downward-facing red arrow 72'
CF 18 Ayase Ueda
Substitutions:
MF 8 Koji Miyoshi upward-facing green arrow 46'
DF 15 Daiki Hashioka upward-facing green arrow 55'
FW 16 Yuki Soma upward-facing green arrow 72'
DF 4 Ko Itakura upward-facing green arrow 72'
FW 9 Daizen Maeda upward-facing green arrow 80'
Head coach:
Hajime Moriyasu

Assistant referees:
David Moran (El Salvador)
Zachari Zeegelaar (Suriname)
Fourth official:
Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Video assistant referee:
Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany)

South Africa vs Mexico[edit]

South Africa 0–3 Mexico
Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
South Africa[9]
Mexico[9]
GK 1 Ronwen Williams
RB 3 Katlego Mohamme Yellow card 4'
CB 5 Luke Fleurs
CB 15 Tercious Malepe (c) Red card 57'
LB 17 Thendo Mukumela downward-facing red arrow 67'
CM 8 Thabo Cele Yellow card 75' downward-facing red arrow 83'
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena
RW 18 Kobamelo Kodisang downward-facing red arrow 61'
AM 6 Kamohelo Mahlatsi
LW 10 Luther Singh
CF 9 Evidence Makgopa downward-facing red arrow 83'
Substitutions:
DF 13 Reeve Frosler upward-facing green arrow 61'
DF 11 MacBeth Mahlangu upward-facing green arrow 67'
MF 7 Nkosingiphile Ngcobo upward-facing green arrow 83'
MF 12 Goodman Mosele upward-facing green arrow 83'
Head coach:
David Notoane
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)
CB 2 Jorge Sánchez downward-facing red arrow 71'
CB 3 César Montes
CB 4 Jesús Alberto Angulo
RM 6 Vladimir Loroña
CM 7 Luis Romo
CM 8 Carlos Rodríguez Red card 66'
LM 11 Alexis Vega downward-facing red arrow 77'
RF 15 Uriel Antuna downward-facing red arrow 77'
CF 9 Henry Martín downward-facing red arrow 75'
LF 17 Sebastián Córdova downward-facing red arrow 71'
Substitutions:
DF 12 Adrián Mora upward-facing green arrow 71'
MF 16 José Joaquín Esquivel upward-facing green arrow 71'
FW 18 Eduardo Aguirre upward-facing green arrow 75'
FW 19 Jesús Ricardo Angulo upward-facing green arrow 77'
FW 10 Diego Lainez upward-facing green arrow 77'
Head coach:
Jaime Lozano

Assistant referees:
Mark Rule (New Zealand)
Tevita Makasini (Tahiti)
Fourth official:
Orel Grinfeld (Israel)
Video assistant referee:
Marco Guida (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

Discipline[edit]

Fair play points would have been used as a tiebreaker if the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:[3]

  • first yellow card: minus 1 point;
  • indirect red card (second yellow card): minus 3 points;
  • direct red card: minus 4 points;
  • yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points;

Only one of the above deductions is applied to a player in a single match.

Team Match 1 Match 2 Match 3 Points
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card
 Japan 2 2 2 –6
 South Africa 2 2 1 –8
 France 2 2 2 1 –10
 Mexico 1 3 1 1 –12

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Football Tournament: Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Draws set path to Tokyo 2020 gold". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Regulations for the Olympic Football Tournaments Tokyo 2020" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
  4. ^ a b "Tactical Starting Line-up: Match 2, MEX vs FRA" (PDF). Olympics.com. 22 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Tactical Starting Line-up: Match 1, JPN vs RSA" (PDF). Olympics.com. 22 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Tactical Starting Line-up: Match 10, FRA vs RSA" (PDF). Olympics.com. 25 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Tactical Starting Line-up: Match 9, JPN vs MEX" (PDF). Olympics.com. 25 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Tactical Starting Line-up: Match 17, FRA vs JPN" (PDF). Olympics.com. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Tactical Starting Line-up: Match 18, RSA vs MEX" (PDF). Olympics.com. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

External links[edit]