USA, World Cup holders Spain & France win women's Olympic football openers

The United States, four-time gold medalists, also secured a victory by beating Zambia 3-0, while France managed to defeat Colombia 3-2.

Spain, who are participating in the Olympic women's football for the first time, are considered strong contenders for the gold medal after their World Cup victory in Australia and New Zealand last year. Despite falling behind to Japan early in the game, Spain managed to equalize through Bonmati and later secured the winning goal through Mariona Caldentey.

The tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups, with the top two third-placed teams advancing to the quarter-finals. Japan, the silver medalists from London 2012, will be looking to bounce back after their defeat to Spain.

Spain's starting lineup included seven players from the World Cup final win over England, along with Alexia Putellas, a two-time former Ballon d'Or winner. Bonmati expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance, stating that they deserved the victory.

In another match, Brazil defeated Nigeria 1-0, with Marta setting up Gabi Nunes for the winning goal. The United States, led by new coach Emma Hayes, have high hopes for success in the tournament with their young squad.

The team emerged as clear victors against Zambia in Nice, although they should have secured a more significant lead after scoring three goals in the first half against a team that had a player dismissed before halftime.

Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson both struck the woodwork before Rodman, daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, found the net with a skillful finish in the box on 17 minutes.

Swanson doubled the lead on 24 minutes by converting Lindsey Horan's pass, and she scored again just a minute later by rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball home.

Zambia's Pauline Zulu was visibly upset as she received a red card following a VAR review for a foul on Sophia Smith just before halftime. Despite having an extra player, the USA failed to add to their goal tally.

In another Group B match, 2016 gold medalists Germany outplayed Australia, winning 3-0 in Marseille with Marina Hegering and Lea Schueller both scoring headers before Jule Brand sealed the victory. The USA and Germany will face each other in Marseille on Sunday.

France overcame a scare to defeat Colombia 3-2 in Lyon, where there were numerous empty seats in the stadium. Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored twice in the first half, with Kenza Dali also finding the net, as France seemed to be in control.

However, Catalina Usme converted a penalty early in the second half, and substitute Manuela Pavi further reduced the deficit before Mayra Ramirez was shown a red card, ending Colombian hopes of salvaging a point.

In Group A, the reigning Olympic champions Canada overcame a spying scandal to secure a 2-1 victory against New Zealand in Saint-Etienne. Mackenzie Barry initially put New Zealand in the lead in front of a small crowd at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Cloe Lacasse of Arsenal equalized just before halftime for Canada, who emerged victorious over Sweden in a penalty shootout in the Tokyo final three years ago.

Evelyne Viens then scored the winning goal 11 minutes before the end of the match. The lead-up to Canada's game was marred by controversy as an assistant coach and an analyst were sent home from the Olympics on the eve of the match.

The analyst, 43-year-old Joey Lombardi, was also handed a suspended eight-month prison sentence for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session in Saint-Etienne.

Head coach Bev Priestman issued an apology and refrained from participating in the match against New Zealand, deeming it inappropriate. Defender Vanessa Gilles expressed her disappointment, stating that such actions do not align with Canadian values and described the incident as a "humiliation."