Sweden women end losing series in USA, Netherlands top 10 Zambia

TOKYO (Reuters) – World champions USA lost 3-0 to Sweden, ending a 30-month losing streak, with the Netherlands scoring 10 goals against an unhappy Zambia on a dramatic day after the start of the Women’s Olympics. The football match began.

Several teams, including the United States, Great Britain, Chile, Sweden and New Zealand, knelt before kicking off Wednesday in support of racial equality, while two Brazilian players broke records in the Games. read more

At an empty stadium in Tokyo, Sweden sent four-time Olympic gold medalists to their first defeat in 45 caps, while striker Stena Blacksteinius doubled the United States in a Group G match.

No team has won an Olympic gold medal as a world champion since the debut of women’s football at the 1996 Games.

“We kicked asses, didn’t we?” American star and midfielder Megan Robino agreed. “I thought we were a little nervous, a little nervous about doing stupid things.”

The clash was reconsidered in the 2016 quarterfinals, which the Scandinavians won on penalties. read more

Orange warned rivals when they beat Zambia 10-3 in Group F and Arsenal striker Vivian Midema scored four goals.

The Netherlands went into the first half with a 6-1 lead, but in the final minutes out of the air, Bobra Banda was able to complete his hat-trick with two late goals for South Africa.

Brazil, who chased down their first gold medal at the event, beat China 5-0, with players Marta and Formica writing their names in the record books.

Marta, who has won five World Player of the Year awards, is widely regarded as the best female footballer of all time, becoming the first female footballer to score in five consecutive Olympics.

The 35-year-old missed his chance to score his 13th Olympic goal after completing his hat-trick, allowing the team to turn Andresa into a penalty.

“There’s no illusion here, we’re a team,” Martha said.

Their 43-year-old teammate Formica became the first footballer to appear in seven Olympics. read more

Host Japan played a hot battle with Canada 1-1 in Group E, with its 300th title Christine Sinclair celebrating her 187th international goal – more than any other player.

Britain’s Ellen White scored the first goal of the match in the 17th minute against Chile in Group E, with the Manchester City striker adding another goal in the second half to take a 2-0 lead.

Australia beat New Zealand 2-1 in today’s Group G final between the 2023 World Cup co-hosts.

West Ham’s Tamika Yallop scored in the first half and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr in the first half, while Coffey Rinney denied Australia a clean sheet.

Additional Report by Rohit Nair and Simon Jennings in Bangalore; Compiled by John Stone Street

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