Men's Football Day 1 Review: Giants take off

Brazilian players celebrate their game-winning goal (Photo Credit: Xinhua)(BEIJING, August 7) -- Football powerhouses Brazil, Italy and Argentina were the winners after eight first-round matches in the Olympic Men's Football competition were played tonight. The wins have ensured that the three teams are on the top of their respective groups.

Athens 2004 gold medalist Argentina's 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire, thanks to Lionel Messi's goal and assist, has given it top place in Group A, with Australia and Serbia in equal second place following their 1-1 draw.

Messi, whose place in the Olympic team has been the subject of much debate, showed his delight at participating in the Olympic Games by saying: "It's my first goal in the Olympic Games. It is very important for me."

Brazil beat Belgium 1-0 and has taken top spot in Group C. China and New Zealand are equal second in Group C following their 1-1 draw. China’s next match will be against Belgium and it may struggle to break through the European team’s strong defense, which kept flamboyant Brazil to only one goal.

Belgium’s coach Jean Francois De Sart said after the match against Brazil that "Brazil found no way to break through our defense."

Italy crushed Honduras 3-0 and took top place in Group D. The Republic of Korea and Cameroon are equal second in Group D following their 1-1 draw.

After the match, Italy’s first goal scorer 21-year-old Sebastian Giovinco was compared to Italian legend Roberto Baggio, a comparison that Italian coach Pierluigi Casiraghi tried to talk down: "It is hard to compare him with Roberto Baggio. I hope he will have a wonderful career. I hope he can play better in the next game."

The United States seized a victory over Japan to be placed first in Group B, followed by the Netherlands and Nigeria, who played out a goalless draw.

Japanese coach Yasuharu Sorimachi remains confident about Japan’s chance in its next game against Nigeria. After the match against the United States, Sorimachi said: “We didn't play particularly well, and we were inferior in physical strength. But we have a plan for the next game. We need to be more active. I believe we can succeed."