Spain 2-1 Japan: Aitana Bonmati inspires La Roja to comeback victory to avoid shock in Olympics opener

ByJonathan Davies

Updated 26/07/2024 at 00:00 GMT+1

Spain avoided a shock defeat in their opening match of the Paris Olympics as Aitana Bonmati inspired them to a comeback 2-1 victory over Japan. Aoba Fujino opened the scoring for Japan after just 13 minutes but Bonmati equalised shortly afterwards for the Spanish. Mariona Caldentey was on the end of a fantastic flowing move in the second to score the winning goal and get Spain off to a fine start.

Aitana Bonmati played a key role as Spain marked their Olympic debut by coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in Nantes.

The reigning Ballon d’Or holder cancelled out Aoba Fujino’s earlier free-kick at Stade de la Beaujoire, before setting up Mariona Caldentey for the winning goal that gave La Roja the ideal start in Group C.

Spain fell behind in the 13th minute as Cata Coll’s error of judgement culminated in the awarding of a Japan free-kick 25 yards from goal, which Fujino brilliantly bent into the top corner to put the 2012 silver medallists in front.

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However, La Roja responded just nine minutes later following a lovely move that saw Athenea del Castillo neatly thread the ball through the Japanese defence for Bonmati, who calmly slotted past Ayaka Yamashita.

Yamashita came to her nation’s rescue five minutes before half-time, with a smart reflex save to deny Irene Paredes from a tight angle.

Nevertheless, Spain did complete the turnaround with the game’s decisive goal in the 74th minute, as Caldentey exchanged passes with Bonmati before finding the far corner.

‘She can’t believe it!’ - Fujino's ‘terrific’ free-kick gives Japan the lead against Spain

Video credit: TNT Sports

Talking Point – A winning beginning for La Roja

The reigning World Cup and Women’s Nations League winners were making their Olympic bow, qualifying after winning the latter event earlier this year.

This promised to be a tough opener for Spain. After all, they were thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the group stages of last year’s World Cup – albeit they want on to lift the trophy in Australia.

Silver medallists in London in 2012, the Japanese are experienced Olympic campaigners, having only failed to progress beyond the group stage in four of their five previous appearances.

Nevertheless, despite falling behind, Spain’s quality and dominance eventually paid dividends and proved too much for their opponents, with La Roja up and running in Group C.

Player of the Match – Aitana Bonmati

It was quite fitting that Spain women’s historic first Olympic goal was scored by the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner.

Following her equaliser, Bonmati was heavily involved again when La Roja edged their noses ahead, with her pass completing a one-two with Caldentey, who finished well.

Player Ratings

Spain: Coll 6, Battle 6, Paredes 7, Aleixandri 7, Carmona 6, Guijarro 7, Bonmati 9*, Putellas 6, Del Castillo 8, Paralluelo 6, Caldentey 8. Subs: Hernandez, Hermoso, Abelleira, Garcia.

Japan: Yamashita 7, Minami 6, Kumagai 7, Koga 7, Shimizu 6, Miyazawa 6, Fujino 8, Seike 5, Hasegawa 6, Tanaka 5, Nagano 6. Subs: Hamano, Takahashi, Chiba, Moriya.

Match Highlights

13' GOAL! SPAIN 0-1 JAPAN: What a strike! Fujino steps up to the free-kick before whipping a delicious delivery around the wall, and Coll can only help the ball into the top corner. The reigning world champions trail in Nantes!

22' GOAL! SPAIN 1-1 JAPAN: Spain are level! It's a lovely goal, too. Del Castillo neatly slips Bonmati in behind the Japan defence, and the latter calmly slots past Yamashita.

40' SPAIN 1-1 JAPAN: La Roja look to apply the pressure from a corner. Paredes loses her marker and manages to shoot from a tight angle, but Yamashita is equal to it.

74' GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 JAPAN: Spain have turned things around! Caldentey, who has been lively in this game, neatly exchange passes with Bonmati, before brilliantly finding Yamashita's bottom-left corner.

Key Stats

At 18 years and 201 days, Japan defender Toko Koga became the youngest player to appear at the Games.

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