Sports
Olympics Women’s Football: Brazil 5-1 Sweden + all updates
Hosts Brazil slammed a 5-1 defeat on Sweden thereby leading the charge to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympics Football Tournament Rio 2016.
With that win, Brazil, USA and Canada become the first three sides to advance to the quarter-finals.
The hosts swept to a stylish and emphatic win over one of the game’s traditional heavyweights.
Meanwhile, the reigning world champions – USA – got the details right in edging to a narrow victory against an impressive France.
Canada made a fast start in getting the better of an energetic Zimbabwe side.
Brazil’s 5-1 defeat of Sweden significantly upped the goal count, with the day’s six games yielding 18 in all.
Two sides to go out of the tournament on Saturday were Colombia and South Africa.
Germany served notice once again of their durability to score a late equaliser against Australia, after being 2-0 down.
Also making her mark was Canada’s Janine Beckie, who struck early for the second match in a row.
RESULTS
GROUP E
South Africa 0-2 China PR
Brazil 5-1 Sweden
GROUP F
Canada 3-1 Zimbabwe
Germany 2-2 Australia
GROUP G
USA 1-0 France
Colombia 0-1 New Zealand
GOAL OF THE DAY
Germany 0-2 Australia, Caitlin Foord 45
Though it was Caitlin Foord’s name that went down on the scoresheet, the credit for Australia’s second goal goes to forward Lisa De Vanna.
The 2013 FIFA Puskás Award contender, who started the game against Canada on the bench, showcased her extensive range of skills once again.
She latched to a long ball on the left, nutmegging her way past Annike Krahn and sending in an inch-perfect cross for Foord to convert.
MEMORABLE OLYMPICS MOMENTS
Brazil do it with backheels – Cristiane conjured up a cute backheeled flick to score the hosts’ second goal.
Also, Marta and Beatriz played a backheeled one-two in the move that ended with Cristiane winning a penalty.
The inimitable No.10 then produced a delicious dragback to outfox the Swedish defence and stroke in her side’s fourth.
Those were just some of the tricks and flicks Brazil produced in their five-goal romp against Sweden, to which Marta contributed two goals.
The bewildered Swedes wasted little time in trying to put the defeat behind them.
They convened on the pitch for a post-match huddle, a sign that they will be looking to stay strong in the lead-up to Tuesday’s make-or-break meeting with China PR.
ZIMBABWE AND AUSTRALIA WIN OVER THE LOCALS
The people of Sao Paulo took two new teams to their hearts on Saturday.
In creating a festive atmosphere in the stands, the nearly 40,000 fans who flocked to the Arena Corinthians for the day’s two games were unanimous in giving their vociferous support to Zimbabwe and Australia.
They were particularly taken with the African side, who never looked like getting back in the game after going 3-0 down to Canada.
They were cheered on ever more noisily as the minutes progressed.
The locals were rewarded for their noisy backing when Mavis Chirandu pulled a goal back with four minutes left, and celebrated the strike as if the No10 were one of their own.
HOPE BRINGS UP DOUBLE CENTURY IN STYLE
The hero of USA’s hard-fought win over France was undoubtedly Hope Solo.
She celebrated her 200th international outing with a typically brilliant performance.
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