Olympic soccer tournament: US soccer world champions screw up the start against Sweden

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Heading duel at the beginning of the Olympic Games between the USA and Sweden

Photo: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP

This is not how the successful US soccer players imagined: At the start of the Olympic soccer tournament, the 2019 world champions lost 0: 3 (0: 1) to Sweden.

Stina Blackstenius (24th and 54th minutes) and Lina Hurtig (72nd) scored the goals for the 2016 Olympic runners-up.

It was the first defeat for US coach Vlatko Andonovski in his almost two-year tenure.

The USA, where numerous superstars such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Christen Press were used, had big problems with the pressing of the Swedes.

After the especially playful performance, they can feel like one of the hottest contenders for the gold medal.

The two other opponents in the preliminary round for both teams are Australia and New Zealand, the first two of the group qualify for the quarter-finals as well as the best two of the three group thirds.

Marta scores for Brazil, White for Great Britain

Brazil surprisingly won their opening game against China 5-0 (2-0).

In addition to double goal scorer Marta (9th and 74th), Debinha (22nd), Andressinha (80th penalty kick) and Beatriz (89th) met in the selection trained by Pia Sundhage.

Like Marta in Brazil, it was the outstanding player in Great Britain who played a decisive role in the first success: top striker Ellen White scored both goals in the 2-0 (1-0) against Chile (18th and 73rd).

In the rest of the day Japan will face Canada, Australia face New Zealand and Zambia face the Netherlands.

mfu