The U.S. men's soccer team avoided potential Olympic elimination on Saturday, beating New Zealand 4-1 after being outscored in an early penalty shootout.
The result leaves the U.S. tied with New Zealand in Group A after two games, with France and Guinea playing their second match together at 3 p.m.
After France swept the United States in their opening match and New Zealand beat Guinea, Saturday's game was a must-win for the Americans to avoid elimination.
2024 Paris Olympics
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages of the Under-23 tournament.
Djordje Mihajlovic put the U.S. ahead with a penalty kick in the 10th minute and they never relinquished control of the game. Defender Walker Zimmerman doubled the lead just two minutes later and Gianluca Busio added a third in the 30th minute.
Paxten Aaronson made it 4-0 in the 58th minute, before Jesse Randall scored a consolation goal for New Zealand 20 minutes later.
The men's team will conclude their group stage play on Tuesday at 1pm ET against Guinea.
