Football

ESP 2-1 JPN: Aitana Bonmati Inspires Spain Women To Opening Paris Olympics Win

🦩 Spain's victory saw them seize top spot in Group C ahead of Brazil, who edged past Nigeria 1-0 thanks to Gabi Nunes' first-half finish at Paris Olympic Games 2024

Aitana-Bonmati-spain-women-footballer
ꦉAitana Bonmati stole the show in Nantes on Thursday for Spain Women.
info_icon

Aitana Bonmati inspired Spain past Japan as La Roja started their Paris Olympics campaign with a 2-1 victory on Thursday. (More Football News)

🐓Spain are aiming to become the first side to win Olympic gold after lifting the Women's World Cup, having defeated England in the final of that tournament last year.

꧒Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati levelled after Aoba Fujino's stunning 13th-minute free-kick opener in Nantes, before the Spain midfielder teed up Mariona Caldentey's winner 16 minutes from time.

ꦑThat result saw Montserrat Tome's side seize top spot in Group C ahead of Brazil, who edged past Nigeria 1-0 thanks to Gabi Nunes' first-half finish.

📖Elsewhere in Group A, defending champions Canada put off-field issues to one side by overcoming New Zealand 2-1 thanks to goals from Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens in Saint-Etienne.

💦Canada's integrity had been questioned ahead of the game in the wake of a spying scandal, with assistant Andy Spence serving as head coach after Bev Priestman volunteered to sit out.

𝕴Priestman, two members of her staff and the Canadian Olympic Committee are being investigated by FIFA's disciplinary committee after a drone was spotted flying over New Zealand's training on Monday.

ღ"Obviously the timing was quite terrible," said Canada captain Jessie Fleming of the drone incident, after her side battled back following Mackenzie Barry's early opener.

🃏"But I think for us, we've just leaned into each other as a player group and we really just want to focus on being here and playing."

ꦦHosts France seemed on course for a routine victory in the other Group A game after Marie-Antoinette Katoto's first-half double and Kadidiatou Diani's goal against Colombia.

⛦However, Catalina Usme pulled one back from the spot and Manuela Pavi further reduced the deficit nine minutes later, only for Mayra Ramirez's late red card to help France hold out for a 3-2 victory.

𒊎Meanwhile, Germany swept aside Australia 3-0 in Group B, inflicting the Matildas' joint-heaviest defeat at the Olympics, along with a loss against the same opponent, by the same scoreline, at Sydney 2000.

☂Efforts from Marina Hegering, Lea Schuller and Jule Brand sealed the victory for the DFB-Frauenteam against the Tokyo 2020 semi-finalists.

CLOSE
PBC88
100% first deposit Bonus 700 BDT
18+ | Play Responsibly | gamblingtherapy.org | T&Cs Apply
  • Huge variety of game types, 2024 IPL Cricket Exchange Bonus
  • Range of Valuable rewards
  • Bangladesh’s most trusted online casino
Show More
Welcome to PBC888 and discover a huge range of games, from Baccarat to Roulette to Andar Bahar with live dealers, as well as tons of exciting slot games. PBC888 was founded by a group of passionate sports betting enthusiasts with the goal of providing users with the best gaming experience. Over the years, we have collected and analyzed decades of user feedback to create the ultimate gaming platform for our valued customers.