The Rio Olympics are underway, with women's football. Germany got the ball rolling with a massive win against Zimbabwe on day Minus Two. France also notched up three points with a comfortable 4-0 win against Colombia. The USA, who have won the gold in each of the last three Games, barely got out of second gear for its 2-0 win. Hosts Brazil were off the mark too.
Sweden 1-0 South Africa (Group E)
It was a tame encounter with very little action at either end. Veteran defender Nilla Fischer scored in the 75th minute to seal the tie. There were hardly 1,000 peoplein the stands.
Canada 2-0 Australia (Group F)
Canada made history in Olympics football history as Janine Beckie only took 20 seconds to put the ball into the back of the net – it was the fastest goal of all time, across genders. Canada lost Shelina Zadorsky, who was given marching orders in the 19th minute, but skipper Christine Sinclair added a second goal in the second half.
Brazil 3-0 China (Group E)
Monica, Cristiane, and Andressa Alves scored within the first hour as the hosts got off to a winning start. There were reports that protests against the Games continued from a section of disgruntled Brazilians outside the stadium. The players weren’t affected, though.
Germany 6-1 Zimbabwe (Group F)
The Germans posted the biggest win of the day, crushing first-timers Zimbabwe at Sao Paulo. Melanie Behringer scored two goals. It was Sara Dabritz who opened the scoring, and the three-time bronze medalists doubled their lead through Alexandra Popp. Behringer scored both her goals in the second half. Melanie Leupolz scored the fifth goal and the rout was completed through an own goal in the final minute.
France 4-0 Colombia (Group G)
France cruised past Colombia 4-0. It took only two minutes for them to open their account as Carolina Arias netted an own goal. By the time the referee's whistle went for half-time, the game was dead and buried with the French 3-0 up. Eugenie Le Somme and Camille Abily scored a goal each. There was further gloss on the scoreline as Amel Majri netted the fourth deep into the second half.
USA 2-0 New Zealand (Group G)
Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan scored the goals that gave the world champions a fairly straightforward win. However, the focus was on USA goalie Hope Solo, who had riled the Brazilian public in what was perceived to be an offensive jibe at the host nation about the Zica virus on Twitter. She was booed throughout the contest. But France's big win still meant the USA are in second place in the group.
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