Tokyo Olympics: Sweden stun USA in women’s football opener

Tokyo Olympics: Sweden stun USA in women’s football opener

by Emily Smith
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United States forward Megan Rapinoe said they “got bopped” and did “dumb stuff” as they lost their opening match to Sweden at the Olympic Games.

The world champions were stunned 3-0 in Tokyo with striker Stina Blackstenius scoring twice, before substitute Lina Hurtig added a third for Sweden.

It ended a run of 44 games unbeaten for the USA coming into the Olympics.

“I thought we were a little bit nervous, a bit tight, doing dumb stuff,” Rapinoe said.

Sweden were without Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson, while the USA started with key players Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Lindsey Horan.

The USA were knocked out by Sweden, who went on to win silver, on penalties in the quarter-finals five years ago.

US coach Vlatko Andonovski added: “It’s obvious we put ourselves in a big hole, but we’re the only ones who can get ourselves out of it.

“It’s not going to be easy. We’ve got to get positive results in the next two games, but the fact there is still a chance [means] I know this team is not going to give up.”

Listen to the latest Olympics Daily podcastMarta, Miedema and Sinclair make their markElsewhere, 104th-ranked Zambia lost 10-3 on their Olympic debut in women’s football against European champions the Netherlands.

Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema scored four goals, while ex-Gunners team-mate Danielle van de Donk picked up three assists.

Zambia captain Barbra Banda also scored a hat-trick despite being on the losing side.

Meanwhile, striker Marta scored twice as Brazil thrashed China 5-0.

She became the first player to score in five consecutive Olympics, taking her total tally to 12, while 43-year-old defender Formiga extended her record of competing in all seven women’s Olympic tournaments since women’s football was introduced in 1996.

Team GB got off to a winning start thanks to a double from Ellen White as they comfortably beat Chile 2-0 in their Group E opener.

In the other Group E match, hosts Japan drew 1-1 with Canada after Arsenal midfielder Mana Iwabuchi cancelled out Christine Sinclair’s opener. Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe also saved a penalty.

Sinclair extended the all-time international goals record to 187 and became only the fourth player in history to reach 300 games for her country.

In the final match of the day, Australia recorded a 2-1 win over New Zealand as Chelsea striker Sam Kerr scored one goal and provided an assist for the other.

Line-upsSwedenFormation 4-2-3-1

1Lindahl

4Glas13Ilestedt14Bjorn2Andersson

16Angeldal17Seger

10Jakobsson9Asllani18Rolfö

11Blackstenius

1Lindahl4Glas13Ilestedt14Bjorn2AnderssonSubstituted forRoddarat 88’minutes16AngeldalSubstituted forBennisonat 75’minutes17Seger10JakobssonSubstituted forJanogyat 75’minutes9Asllani18RolföSubstituted forSchoughat 63’minutes11BlacksteniusSubstituted forHurtigat 64’minutesSubstitutes3Kullberg5Bennison7Janogy8Hurtig12Falk15Schough20RoddarUSAFormation 4-3-3

1Naeher

5O’Hara17Dahlkemper4Sauerbrunn2Dunn

16Lavelle9Horan3Mewis

7Heath13Morgan11Press

1Naeher5O’Hara17Dahlkemper4Sauerbrunn2DunnSubstituted forDavidsonat 80’minutes16LavelleSubstituted forMewisat 80’minutes9Horan3MewisSubstituted forErtzat 45’minutes7HeathSubstituted forRapinoeat 64’minutes13MorganSubstituted forLloydat 45’minutes11PressSubstitutes6Mewis8Ertz10Lloyd12Davidson14Sonnett15Rapinoe18FranchReferee:Yoshimi Yamashita

Live TextMatch ends, Sweden 3, USA 0.

Second Half ends, Sweden 3, USA 0.

Julie Ertz (USA) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Lina Hurtig (Sweden).

Attempt missed. Carli Lloyd (USA) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Tierna Davidson following a corner.

Corner, USA. Conceded by Hedvig Lindahl.

Attempt saved. Christen Press (USA) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tierna Davidson with a cross.

Attempt saved. Carli Lloyd (USA) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kelley O’Hara.

Attempt saved. Lindsey Horan (USA) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Carli Lloyd with a headed pass.

Substitution, Sweden. Julia Roddar replaces Jonna Andersson.

Attempt missed. Christen Press (USA) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Megan Rapinoe with a cross.

Offside, USA. Abby Dahlkemper tries a through ball, but Megan Rapinoe is caught offside.

Substitution, USA. Tierna Davidson replaces Crystal Dunn.

Substitution, USA. Kristie Mewis replaces Rose Lavelle.

Christen Press (USA) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Jonna Andersson (Sweden).

Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Offside, Sweden. Kosovare Asllani tries a through ball, but Lina Hurtig is caught offside.

Foul by Julie Ertz (USA).

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