2024 Paris Olympic Games: France hold on to record nervy win over Colombia, Marta stars as Brazil beat Nigeria
Published 26/07/2024 at 01:19 GMT+1
The opening day of the women's 2024 Paris Olympic Games football tournament got off to an entertaining start as France overcame Colombia in a five-goal thriller, while Marta played her part in Brazil's narrow victory over Nigeria. Canada put aside any off-field noise to edge past New Zealand and 2016 winners Germany outclassed Australia, who are without Sam Kerr.
'World class' - Brazil thunder home opener against Nigeria just moments after Marta VAR call
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hosts France got their 2024 Paris Olympic Games campaign up and running with a nervy 3-2 victory over Colombia.
Les Bleus raced into a 3-0 lead at half-time but conceded twice in 10 second-half minutes as the South Americans threatened a comeback before having star player Mayra Ramirez sent off.
Making their first appearance at the Olympics since 2016, France made a blistering start in Lyon with Paris Saint-Germain forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto scoring after just six minutes.
Katoto grabbed a brace three minutes before half-time after Aston Villa's Kenza Dali had doubled France's lead in the 18th-minute.
Colombia produced a stirring second-half display and set nerves jangling when Catalina Usme netted from the spot and Manuela Pavi Sepulveda further narrowed the deficit.
But they were dealt a huge blow when Ramirez - signed by Chelsea for a British record fee in January - was shown a straight red.
Meanwhile, holders Canada got their defence off to a winning start but had to come from behind to earn a 2-1 victory over New Zealand.
The build-up to the Group A clash had made the headlines after New Zealand claimed a drone had flown over their training session on Monday.
Bev Priestman, who has been Canada's head coach since 2020, subsequently issued an apology and “voluntarily” withdrew from the match, with her assistant Jasmine Mander one of two staff members sent home.
It took a 79th-minute winner from substitute Evelyne Viens to separate the teams, the Roma forward slotting home following a pass from Jessie Fleming.
New Zealand had built the platform to provide a shock when MacKenzie Barry gave New Zealand a 13th-minute opener, but Cloe Lacasse restored parity on the stroke of half-time.
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Brazil's forward #10 Marta (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring her team first goal, that will be disallowed, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games women's group C football match between Nigeria and Brazil.
Image credit: Getty Images
Making her final appearance at an Olympics, Marta started her farewell tour with an assist as Brazil edged past Nigeria 1-0 in Group C.
Although Brazil’s highest scorer was unable to add to her tally of 116 goals in 175 matches, the veteran more than played her part in Brazil’s victory, setting up Gabi Nunes’ first-half opener.
Marta, 38, also had a goal disallowed as the South Americans ultimately prevailed over Nigeria, who are making their return to Olympic football after a 16-year absence.
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2016 winners Germany showed their class by brushing aside Australia 3-0 in the Group B opener.
Veteran defender Marina Hegering’s powerful header from a free-kick gave Germany a 24th-minute lead, and set-pieces proved Australia’s undoing again in the second half when Lea Schuller headed in from a corner.
Jule Brand wrapped up the scoring five minutes later, completing a lovely team move, as Australia struggled without Sam Kerr, absent from the tournament with a knee injury.
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