2024 Olympics: Match Day 1 Recap and Video Highlights

The first day of group play in the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympic saw no upsets, with all six matches ending in victories for the higher-ranked teams.

The USWNT had one of the easiest matches, thanks to a strong first half where Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson combined for three goals, with Swanson bagging a brace by scoring goals just 66 seconds apart (OptaJack x.com post). A VAR-upgraded 30th minute red card shown to Pauline Zulu reduced Zambia to 10 players. While the USWNT was unable to extend the lead after the red card, their defense did hold the speedy Barbra Banda and Zambia scoreless.

In the other Group B match, Germany had the most impressive performance, with a 3:0 victory over Australia. Germany broke out the classics, scoring twice from headers off corner kicks, capped off with a speedy direct attack goal.

Reigning Women’s World Cup champions Spain and scandal-tainted Canada each faced early 1-nil deficits against Japan and New Zealand, respectively, but went on win their matches 2:1.

Host France appeared to be cruising to an easy victory against Colombia, thanks to a 3-nil first half via a brace by Marie-Antoinette Katoto and a Kenza Dali goal. In the second-half, Colombia converted an uncontroversial penalty. Ten minutes later, half-time substitute Manuela Pavi battled two French defenders and netted a goal to cut the deficit to just one goal. That deficit was nearly erased when France’s goalkeeper, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin sent a short pass straight to Leicy Santos who was unable to control the ball, but forward Mayra Ramirez collected it and got a shot off that went over the cross bar. In the 86th minute, Ramirez fouled substitute defender Selma Bacha, which earned a red card for serious foul play (cleats on ankles).

A Marta-assisted goal from Gabi Nunes was the difference in Brazil‘s 1-nil win over Nigeria, who committed just 10 fouls in the match.

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Note: The English-language NBC Sports YouTube highlights cannot be embedded (“playback…disabled” error), so I am using Telemundo Desportes highlights instead. Links to the NBC Sports YouTube highlights for each match are included for those who prefer English-language commentary.