World Cup holders Spain opened their women’s Olympic football campaign with a 2-1 win over Japan on Thursday, as Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati starred. Title holders the United States eased to a 3-0 victory against Zambia and hosts France edged past Colombia 3-2.
Having made their Olympic debut during the Games in Paris—fresh from their World Cup title a year ago—Spain looked good for gold but faced an early setback in their Group C opener against Japan in Nantes. Early in the game, Aoba Fujino’s freekick had put Japan ahead, though Bonmati levelled midway through the first half, rounding the goalkeeper to score.
She turned provider for Mariona Caldentey’s 74th-minute winner. Spain fielded a strong side including seven players from last year’s Women’s World Cup final team, featuring two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. “We have started the Games very well. I am happy for the victory. The loss against Japan at the World Cup left us with a thorn in our side,” Bonmati said. “The goal they scored did not change our mentality. We played our football and we deserved the victory.”
In the other Group C match, Brazil defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Bordeaux. Marta, at age 38 and playing in her sixth Olympics, had a goal chalked off before providing the pass for the winner by Gabi Nunes.
In Group B, a youthful United States side, under their new coach Emma Hayes, put in an impressively professional performance against Zambia in Nice. Goals via Trinity Rodman and a Mallory Swanson double earned the USA a 3-0 win, despite Zambia’s Pauline Zulu being dismissed off before half-time. The USA and Germany—who beat Australia 3-0 in Marseille—meet on Sunday.
France survived a scare to overcome Colombia 3-2 in Lyon. France seemed to be heading for an easy win with early goals from Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kenza Dali, but Colombia found replies with Catalina Usme and Manuela Pavi. A red card finally did for Colombia’s hopes of a comeback, shown to Mayra Ramirez.
In Group A, Canada overcame a spying scandal to see off New Zealand 2-1 in Saint-Etienne. Mackenzie Barry opened the scoring for New Zealand, with Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens striking for Canada. Canadian team build-up had been overshadowed by the suspension of assistant coach and analyst Joey Lombardi for using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s training.
“As a Canadian, these are not our values. We are not cheats,” defender Vanessa Gilles said in response to the incident.
Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Kicks Off with Opening Round of Matches—Preview The opening round of events in the women’s Olympic football tournament signals an exciting competition where every team will contend for the gold medal.
