🚨 Spain come back to beat Japan, Canada overcome New Zealand; USA later

All 12 Olympic Women’s football teams are in action on Thursday, including a first tournament outing for Emma Hayes in her new role with USA.

Follow along with us to find out what happened.

Canada labour to win over New Zealand

Scorers: Barry 13′; Lacasse 45+3, Viens 79′

Canada overturned a one-goal deficit to come back and beat New Zealand 2-1 in their Olympic opener.

This encounter was always going to be fascinating following the spy-gate scandal that saw Canada boss Beverly Priestman unable to take her position on the bench.

And it was New Zealand who took the lead when Katie Kitching crossed the ball into the box following a corner, and Mackenzie Barry delivered with a superb turn and finish in the box.

As the second half drew to a close, the Canadians found the equaliser thanks to Arsenal’s Cloé Lacasse, who arrived at the ball first inside the box and finished high into the roof of the net.

Canada were dominating possession, and after an hour had fired in 15 shots as opposed to just two for New Zealand, before finally taking the lead with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.

A probing long ball forward from Jessie Fleming found Evelyne Viens, whose one-touch finish left goalkeeper Anna Leat completely helpless.

Spain come back to win after Japan’s free-kick opener

Scorers: Bonmatí 22′, Caldentey 74′; Fujino 13′

Spain played their usual brand of attacking football in a 2-1 win over a Japan side who defended bravely for long spells of the match.

It was Japan who struck first as 20-year-old forward Aoba Fujino let fly with a superbly-weighted free-kick that bent round the Spanish wall and into the top corner.

Yet that lead was short-lived and after a brilliant passing move, Athenea del Castillo played an inch-perfect through ball for Aitana Bonmatí to slot home from close range.

Spain’s patience paid off when Bonmatí when played in Mariona Caldentey, and the new Arsenal recruit made no mistake with a curling effort to give her side the lead.

Still to come…

The next Olympic football takes place on Saturday, when the men’s teams are back in action.