The Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 got under way today, with some thrilling encounters and one major upset illuminating a goal-laden opening day.
Results
Great Britain 2–0 Chile London 2012 veteran Ellen White was at the double as Great Britain marked their return to the Olympic stage in style, enjoying a dominant and comfortable victory over debutants Chile.
China PR 0–5 Brazil Marta bagged a brace, becoming the first player to score at five separate Women's Olympic Football Tournaments, as Brazil produced a ruthless display to brush aside their luckless but outclassed Chinese opponents.
Sweden 3–0 USA Sweden stunned the world champions on the Olympic stage once again but, unlike 2016, this triumph was not indebted to a tough, packed defence and nerves of steel in a shootout. This time they went on the attack, comprehensively outplaying their much-vaunted opponents to inflict the first loss of Vlatko Andonovski's two-year, 24-game reign.
Japan 1-1 Canada Canada seemed on track for all three points only for ever-reliable goalscorer Mana Iwabuchi to secure a valuable equaliser for the hosts with six minutes remaining. Christine Sinclair, in her 300th international - only the fourth player to reach that milestone - arrived late in the box for a first-half opener. There were remarkable scenes as injured Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe saved a penalty on 54 minutes before being forced from the field injured.
Zambia 3-10 Netherlands The Netherlands completely outclassed 104th-ranked Zambia with a record 10-3 win in Miyagi, with both sides making their Olympic football debut. The Europeans put the contest to bed after racing to a 6-1 half-time lead with star attackers Vivianne Miedema and Lieke Martens leading the way. Miedema scored four to help the Netherlands surpass the 8-0 tournament record scoreline set by Germany in 2004 as the Dutch striker matched the four-goal haul of Birgit Prinz set in that same match. Zambia captain Barbra Banda scored an impressive hat-trick.
Australia 2–1 New Zealand Australia won by the odd goal in three to claim Antipodean bragging rights in this meeting of the FIFA Women's World Cup2023™ co-hosts. The Matildas looked to be cruising to that victory after taking a 2-0 half-time lead through Tameka Yallop's superbly-worked opener and a fine near-post header by Sam Kerr. But New Zealand never allowed their heads to drop and prompted a nervy finale when substitute Gabbi Rennie bundled home in stoppage time.