New Zealand vs France Prediction: France expected to win and over 2.5 goals expected

The French national team and New Zealand will play in the 2024 Olympic football tournament's last group stage match. The game is set to begin at 20:00 (GMT+3) on Tuesday, July 30.

There is still hope for the New Zealanders to make it to the Olympic quarterfinals, but they will need to overcome France to do it. In their opening encounter, New Zealand defeated Guinea 2-1 after a fierce battle. In the 72nd minute, Guinea tied the score after New Zealand had taken the lead. It looked like a 1-1 tie would be the result, but four minutes later, New Zealand scored once again to secure a vital three points.

Les Bleus have already guaranteed their spot in the Olympic football competition's quarterfinals. In addition, France is one of just two teams in the group stage without a goal conceded. They defeated the United States 3-0 in their opening game, an outstanding result. Les Bleus found the second game to be considerably more difficult. They were up against Guinea, who in the last five minutes of the first half scored twice, but both goals were ruled offside.

France, participating in their home Olympics, has been performing quite well, especially on defence. Les Bleus doesn't need to win this game to get points, but they will give their opponent a good match.

Last Wednesday, New Zealand began their Olympic football journey on a bright note as they defeated Guinea 2-1 at the Allianz Riviera thanks to goals from Matthew Garbett and Ben Waine. But when the two countries squared off at the Stade de Marseille on Saturday morning, Darren Bazeley's team was thrown back to Earth after losing 4-1 to the United States.

After losing the first game, Djordje Mihailovic, Walker Zimmerman, Gianluca Busio, and Paxten Aaronson scored four goals apiece for Team USA, who were then relieved by a goal from Jesse Randall in the 78th minute. While a victory on Tuesday would secure their place in the round of eight, New Zealand will need to perform at their highest level against a very skilled French team that has won four and drawn its previous five games in July.

The South Pacific nation will also advance to the Games' knockout stage with a point, but only if Guinea pulls off an upset victory over Team USA in the other group match.

Before finishing in second place in Group B of the 2020 Summer Olympics, New Zealand had never advanced past the group stages. However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing to Japan in a penalty shootout.

France qualified for the Olympic football quarterfinals for the first time since 1996 with two victories from their first two games in Group A. Kiliann Sildillia of Freiburg scored deep into the second half to give France a thrilling 1-0 victory over Guinea on Saturday night at the Allianz Riviera, ending the 28-year drought. Abdoulaye Toure gave Guinea the lead just before the half, saving the blushes of the home crowd. However, a thorough VAR review resulted in the goal being declared offside.

Before then, on July 24, France easily defeated Team USA 3-0 in the opening Group A match. Loic Balde, Michael Olise, and Alexandre Laccazette all scored goals in the second half of the game. Les Blues have established themselves as the clear favorites to win a second gold medal at the Games, especially with former marksman Thierry Henry leading the team.

France won gold for the first time in 1984 after defeating Egypt and Yugoslavia to go to the final. There, they defeated Brazil 2-0 behind goals from Francois Brisson and Daniel Xuereb in the second half.

When New Zealand takes against host nation France, who seems unstoppable, they will have to be at their best. Henry's team should win all three points because of the difference in skill and depth between the two teams.