Reverse Japan! Spain gets off to a good start in women's Olympic debut.【fangjie】
2024-07-25
Defending World Cup champions Spain got off to a good start in their Olympic debut with a 2-1 comeback win over Japan in a key Group C match at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Thursday.
Spain, the 2023 Women's World Cup winner, has not previously competed in the Olympics. In the history of women's soccer, no World Cup winner has gone on to win an Olympic gold medal. The regulars, who are making their sixth appearance at the Olympics, beat Spain 4-0 in last year's World Cup group stage.
Throughout the match, Spain had far more possession and shots on goal than their opponents, but Japan opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Aoba Fujino from a free kick. Nine minutes later, Spain equalised, women's Ballon d 'Or winner Bonmati against the offside success, facing the goalkeeper low shot. In the 74th minute, Bonmati teamed up with Caldentai, who curled in a shot to seal the score at 2-1.
Spain will face Nigeria in the second round on Tuesday, while Japan will face Brazil.