Defending champions the United States kicked-off their Olympic women s football tournament with a win over New Zealand, while Germany put six goals past a hapless Zimbabwe.
USA, winner of gold in London in 2012, started things brightly against New Zealand on Wednesday with a goal inside nine minutes through captain Carli Lloyd.
It took USA just seconds to double their lead in the second half, with Alex Morgan finding the net to wrap up a 2-0 win in Belo Horizonte.
Germany meanwhile scored four second-half goals to seal a 6-1 victory over Zimbabwe, with Melanie Behringer netting a brace for the 2015 Women s World Cup semi-finalists.
Canada got off to a perfect start with a 2-0 win over Australia despite having just 10 players for the majority of the game, Janine Beckie and Christine Sinclair scoring in each half.
Hosts Brazil secured a 3-0 win over China PR, Sweden edged South Africa 1-0 courtesy of Nilla Fischer s 75th minute goal, and France made easy work of Colombia, winning 4-0.
HIGHLIGHT
Australia, ranked fifth in the world, were favourites going into their Group F opener with Canada, but Beckie was on hand to tap home just 20 seconds into the first half for the North Americans following a defensive error, which was the fastest goal in Olympic women s football history.
scored the fastest goal in the history of the Olympic women s football tournament in 1
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN)
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Lloyd s performance for USA was exactly what the side needed from their captain, scoring the opener in the two-goal win over New Zealand.
In 13th Olympic appearance, the most capped player at 2016 (225), gives the early lead.
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt)
BRAZIL OPEN WITH A WIN
Monica scored Brazil s opener to help the host team defeat, even if it was not the prettiest of finishes.
I am very happy because of the work we are doing. There is nothing better than to begin with triumph. My sensation when I scored the first goal was complete happiness, she said.
It was a close game and it doesn t matter if the goal was not so beautiful, it is a goal.
WHAT S NEXT?
Matchday two takes place on Saturday with the pick of the games seeing USA come up against France in Group G, while Australia tackle Germany in Group F.
