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

Enlarge image

The teammates take care of Stephanie Labbé

Photo: KIM HONG-JI / REUTERS

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 playfully strong performance, they can now feel that they are the most promising 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.

Canadian drama versus Japan

An early goal by Christine Sinclair (12th) and the equalization by Mana Iwabuchi (84th) made for a 1-1 (1-0) between Canada and hosts Japan.

Things got dramatic after ten minutes in the second half: Canada's goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé caused a penalty and was injured during the action.

She had to be treated for minutes, but tearfully returned to the goal - and promptly stopped the penalty.

A few minutes later the pain was too great and the 34-year-old had to leave the field.

Substitute keeper Kailen Sheridan didn't look good when Iwabuchi equalized (84th).

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.

It was the fifth Olympic football tournament in which Marta was able to score at least one goal - she has never done that before.

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).

Big win at the beginning

Easy victory for the first time for the Dutch women: The team won 10: 3 (5: 1) against the overwhelmed African representative from Zambia.

Vievianne Miedema scored four times for Oranje.

Before her, only the German Birgit Prinz had succeeded in women's Olympic tournaments.

Babra Bana scored all Zambian goals.

mfu