Sweden stun Women’s Olympic Football favourites USA | OneFootball

Icon: She Kicks Magazine

She Kicks Magazine

·21 July 2021

Sweden stun Women’s Olympic Football favourites USA

Article image:Sweden stun Women’s Olympic Football favourites USA
Article image:Sweden stun Women’s Olympic Football favourites USA

Stina Blackstenius got Sweden's opener v USA

Stina Blackstenius of Sweden celebrates the opening goal in the 3-0 win over USA. (Photo: Daniel Stiller/BB via Imago)


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Sweden stunned Women’s Olympic Tournament firm favourites USA by inflicting a 3-0 defeat in their opening group game.

Stina Blackstenius gave the Swedes an interval advantage, then struck again 10 minutes into the second half when following up an effort onto the post. Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe both hit the woodwork for the US but Sweden were in dreamland as Lina Hurtig gave them a three-goal lead with a free header 18 minutes from time in the Group G game.

Brazil despatched China 5-0 in Group F, set up by first-half goals from Marta and Debinha. Three goals were added in the last quarter of an hour or so, Marta netting her second before Andressa and Beatriz both got on the scoresheet.

Also in Group F, the Netherlands thrashed Zambia with a rugby-like score of 10-3, as Vivianne Miedema scored four times. Lieke Martens got a couple, there was one apiece from Merel van Dongen, Lineth Beerensteyn, Jill Roord and Victoria Pelova, while Barbra Banda got all three for the African representatives.

Team GB lead Group E after Japan and Canada drew 1-1. Christine Sinclair scored early on and although Mina Tanaka missed from the spot, Mana Iwabuchi rescued a point with a 84th-minute equaliser.

Australia edged New Zealand 2-1 in Group G, Tameka Yallop and Sam Kerr scoring before the break, Gabi Rennie pulling one back in added time.

Fixtures for Saturday 24 July (UK times)

Chile v Canada (8:30am) China v Zambia (9am) Sweden v Australia (9:30am) Japan v Great Britain (11:30am) – live on BBC One / BBC iPlayer Netherlands v Brazil (12:00) New Zealand v USA (12:30pm)

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