Yesjili.Betjili,KKjili

Football

Spain Women Trump Japan 2-1 In Paris Olympics Opener - In Pics

Spain women were inspired by Aitana Bonmati's 22nd-minute goal against Japan to start their Paris Olympic Games 2024 campaign on a winning note, with the scoreline reading 2-1 in their favour on Friday (July 26). Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati levelled after Aoba Fujino's stunning 13th-minute free-kick opener in Nantes, before the Spain midfielder teed up Mariona Caldentey's winner 16 minutes from time. Spain are aiming to become the first side to win an Olympic gold after lifting the Women's FIFA World Cup, having defeated England in the final of that tournament last year.

2024 Summer Olympic Games: Soccer Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Spain's Mariona Caldentey celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

1/9
Paris Olympics: Soccer
Paris Olympics: Soccer Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Japan's Aoba Fujino, second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

2/9
Paris Olympics 2024: Soccer
Paris Olympics 2024: Soccer Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Spain's Laia Aleixandri controls the ball during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

3/9
2024 Paris Olympic Games: Soccer
2024 Paris Olympic Games: Soccer Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Japan's Saki Kumagai, left, vies for the ball with Spain's Alexia Putellas during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

4/9
Spain vs Japan
Spain vs Japan Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Japanese fans chant in the stands before the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan at La Beaujoire Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

5/9
Japan vs Spain
Japan vs Spain Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Spain's Aitana Bonmati celebrates after scoring a goal, during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

6/9
Summer Olympic Games: Soccer
Summer Olympic Games: Soccer Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Spain's Athenea del Castillo, left, duels for the ball with Japan's Fuka Nagano during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

7/9
Summer Olympic Games 2024: Soccer
Summer Olympic Games 2024: Soccer Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Spain's Patri Guijarro controls the ball in the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

8/9
Japans Saki Kumagai
Japan's Saki Kumagai Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Japan's Saki Kumagai, left, vies for the ball with Spain's Alexia Putellas during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.

9/9
Spains Aitana Bonmati
Spain's Aitana Bonmati Photo: AP/Jeremias Gonzalez

Spain's Aitana Bonmati battles for the ball with Japan's Risa Shimizu during the women's Group C match between Spain and Japan at La Beaujoire Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nantes, France.