Rio Olympics: Women's Soccer, Day 1

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Aug 4, 2016

France gained revenge for its loss to Colombia at the 2015 Women's World Cup when it beat the Cafeteras, 4-0, setting up a showdown on Saturday with the USA for first place in Group G.

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An own goal by Carolina Arias in the 2nd minute put France ahead, Eugenie Le Sommer scored on a header of a rebound after Camille Abily's shot hit the crossbar, then Abily and Amel Majri both scored on free kicks.

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The most even match was expected to be Australia-Canada, but Janine Beckie scored for Canada after just 20 seconds, making it the fastest goal in Olympic women's soccer history, and Canada went on to win, 2-0, despite finishing the game with 10 players.

Melanie Behringer scored twice -- the first goal on a free kick, the second on a volley -- as Germany broke open a close game with newcomer Zimbabwe and won, 6-1.

Brazil had no trouble beating China, 3-0, on goals by Monica, Andressa Alves and  Cristiane, who added to her Olympic record with her 13th goal.

In the first Group E match, Sweden beat South Africa, 1-0, on defender Nilla Fischer's goal in the 75th minute.

Olympic Women's Soccer:
GROUP E
Aug. 3 in Rio de Janeiro
Sweden 1 South Africa 0.
Aug. 3 in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil 3 China 0.
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Aug. 6 in  Rio de Janeiro
South Africa vs. China
Aug. 6 in  Rio de Janeiro
Brazil vs. Sweden
Aug. 9 in Manaus
Brazil vs. South Africa
Aug. 9 in Brasilia
China vs. Sweden

GROUP F
Aug. 3 in Sao Paulo
Canada 2 Australia 0.
Aug. 3 in Sao Paulo
Germany 6 Zimbabwe 1.
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Aug. 6 in Sao Paulo
Canada vs. Zimbabwe
Aug. 6 in Sao Paulo
Germany vs. Australia
Aug. 9 in Brasilia
Germany vs. Canada
Aug. 9 in Salvador
Australia vs. Zimbabwe

GROUP G
Aug. 3 in Belo Horizonte
USA 2 New Zealand 0.
Aug. 3 in Belo Horizonte
France 4 Colombia 0.
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Aug. 6 in Belo Horizonte
USA vs. France
Aug. 6 in Belo Horizonte
Colombia vs. New Zealand
Aug. 9 in Manaus
USA vs. Colombia
Aug. 9 in Salvador
New Zealand vs. France

QUARTERFINALS
Aug. 12 in Brasilia
Game 1: 1G vs. 3E/F 
Aug. 12 in Salvador
Game 2: 1E vs. 2F
Aug. 12 in Sao Paulo
Game 3: 1F vs. 2G
Aug. 12 in Belo Horizonte
Game 4: 1E vs. 3F/G

SEMIFINALS
Aug. 16 in Rio de Janeiro
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner
Aug. 16 in Belo Horizonte
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner

BRONZE-MEDAL GAME
Aug. 19 in Sao Paulo
Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser

GOLD-MEDAL GAME
Aug. 19 in Rio de Janeiro
Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner