- France kicked off the Paris Olympics with a thrilling victory
- France went on to win the match 19-12
- The hosts found their rhythm in the second match
Antoine Dupont’s star shone brightly as France kicked off the Paris Olympics with a thrilling victory in the men’s rugby sevens.
The home crowd, a fervent 80,000 strong, were treated to a glimpse of the magic that has made the scrum-half a global sporting icon.
France, under immense pressure to deliver on home soil, began their campaign with a disappointing 12-12 draw against the United States.
However, the hosts found their rhythm in the second match against Uruguay, where Dupont produced a moment of brilliance to turn the game on its head.
A trademark burst of speed and power saw him slice through the Uruguayan defense, scoring a try that ignited the stadium.
France went on to win the match 19-12, securing their place in the quarter-finals. Ireland also progressed to the knockout stages after winning both their Pool A matches.
As the Olympic Games officially open on Friday, rugby sevens has provided a spectacular and exhilarating start to the festivities.
