Germany is happy about the opening victory. © APA/afp / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Strong Olympic start: DFB women win against Australia

Horst Hrubesch’s German women’s soccer team started the Olympic tournament confidently and self-assuredly and underlined their medal ambitions.

July 25, 2024

From: dpa

Even without Lena Oberdorf, the DFB women managed to beat Australia 3-0 (1-0) in Marseille. In front of just a few thousand spectators at the Stade Vélodrome, defensive leader Marina Hegering (24th minute) and Lea Schüller (64th) each scored with headers, and Jule Brand (68th) scored the goals against the Matildas.

Ann-Katrin Berger, the new number 1 in the German goal, was particularly pleased with the success one day before the opening ceremony in Paris. Eight years after the gold triumph in Rio de Janeiro, the German selection made a strong return to the Olympic stage.

Jule Brand (second from right) scored the 3-0. © APA/afp / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Immediately before kick-off, the German players held up the number 6 jersey of Lena Oberdorf, who had suffered a serious knee injury. The 22-year-old future Munich player was replaced in midfield by captain Alexandra Popp. The goalscorer is the only remaining player who was part of the 2016 Olympic victory in Rio de Janeiro.

On Sunday, they will face record world champions USA in the southern French port city. Three days later, they will face Zambia in Saint-Étienne. Since not only the group winners and runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals, but also the two best third-placed teams from three groups, success against Australia could be half the battle for progressing.

Bonmati led Spain to opening victory

World footballer Aitana Bonmati has led world champions Spain to an opening victory in the women's Olympic tournament. The 26-year-old from FC Barcelona scored a goal herself (2') in the 1-22 win against Japan in Nantes on Thursday after falling behind and set up the second for Mariona Caldentey (74'). Aoba Fujino put the Japanese in the lead with a free kick into the top corner (13'). The Spanish women's next group opponent is Nigeria on Sunday.