Joe Bell & Team New Zealand Eliminated in Group Stage at Paris Olympics

PARIS — Joe Bell, a former standout midfielder for the Virginia men’s soccer team, represented New Zealand at the 2024 Paris Olympics. See below for a recap of New Zealand’s run in through the tournament.

Tuesday, July 30 – Group A – France 3, New Zealand 0

Bell made his third consecutive start on the final matchday of the group stage and played the full 90 minutes. After nearly 20 scoreless minutes against host nation and gold-medal favorites, New Zealand went a goal down following a strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 19th minute. The French would take a narrow 1-0 lead into halftime. As the game wore on, New Zealand kept itself within striking distance holding the French advantage to just one goal. In the 71st minute, France doubled its lead through a Desire Doue goal before taking a 3-0 advantage on a goal from Arnaud Kalimuendo in the 74th minute to seal the victory.

With the loss, New Zealand has been eliminated from the tournament after finishing third in Group A.

Saturday, July 27 – Group A – UNITED STATES 4, NEW ZEALAND 1

The American team came out firing, scoring twice in the first 12 minutes of the game and taking a 3-0 lead into halftime. Bell was in the starting lineup for the second straight game, playing the first 75 minutes of the contest.

New Zealand closes out group play on Tuesday, July 30, facing France at 1 pm.

Wednesday, July 24 – Group A – NEW ZEALAND 2, GUINEA 1

Joe Bell became the first Cavalier to compete at Paris 2024 when the New Zealand national team took on Guinea at the Stade de Nice, logging a 2-1 victory. New Zealand scored an early goal, taking a 1-0 into halftime. Guinea scored the equalizer at the 72-minute mark, but New Zealand’s Ben Waine scored the game-winner four minutes later. Bell was in the starting lineup and played the entire game in the midfield.

This was the second-ever Olympic victory for the New Zealand men’s team.

New Zealand will continue Group A play when it faces the United States on Saturday, July 27, at 1 p.m.

ABOUT JOE BELL & TEAM NEW ZEALAND

• Under competition regulations, men’s Olympic squads are limited to 18 players, at least 15 of which must be under the age of 23. Bell is one of three permitted over-age selections alongside Michael Boxall and Sarpreet Singh.
• Bell is making his second appearance in the Olympics after representing New Zealand at the Tokyo games in 2021. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes all four matches, helping guide the All Whites through the group stage before going out on penalties in the quarterfinals.
• Bell wore the Cavalier shirt for three seasons (2017-19). As a junior in 2019, Bell led his team to the College Cup Final and was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. He became the first-ever Cavalier to be named Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Year, United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year, and ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Over his three-season collegiate career, Bell started all 60 games in which he appeared and accounted for 30 points (10 goals, 10 assists).
• New Zealand has been drawn in Group A at the tournament alongside hosts France, Guinea and Team USA. The All Whites will start their campaign on Wednesday (July 24) against Guinea (11 a.m. ET), before facing off with Team USA on July 27 (1 p.m. ET). They will conclude the group stage on Tuesday (July 30) against France (1 p.m. ET).

New Zealand Men’s Soccer Schedule (Group A)