US women beat Germany 4-1 at Olympics and Canada tops France 2-1 amid drone-spying scandal
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MARSEILLE, France — Sophia Smith scored a pair of goals to help the United States beat Germany, 4-1, and advance to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics on Sunday night.
Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams also scored for the Americans, who defeated Zambia, 3-0, in the opener.
The Americans are playing their first major tournament under new coach Emma Hayes, who took over the U.S. team in late May.
Hayes is tasked with leading the Americans as they seek to distance themselves from the disappointment of last summer’s Women’s World Cup, when they crashed out in the round of 16.
The United States is the winningest team in the Olympics with four gold medals. The Americans took the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games under former coach Vlatko Andonovski, who resigned after the World Cup.
Smith started for the United States after leaving the opener in the first half with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Ten minutes into the match, Smith struck a cross from Trinity Rodman that sailed past German goalkeeper Katrin-Ann Berger.
Giulia Gwinn equalized in the 22nd minute with a low, bouncing shot from well outside the penalty area that eluded diving U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
Swanson put the United States back in front in the 26th. Berger punched out an attempt from distance by Smith, but Swanson picked up the rebound for a goal. It was Swanson’s third goal of the Olympics.
Smith scored her second in the 44th minute on a high-arcing shot that hit the far post and caromed into the goal.
Williams, a substitute, added the final goal in the 89th minute and fans in Marseille chanted “USA! USA!” as time ran down.
Canada 2, France 1
Vanessa Gilles scored in the 12th minute of stoppage time against France to keep alive Canada’s hopes of advancing.
Canada looked to be heading out of the tournament before its final Group A match when the score was tied 1-1 in Saint-Etienne.
A six-point deduction for the drone-spying scandal meant only a win would be enough to give the defending Olympic champion any chance of advancing.
Gilles converted via the post from close range to seal the comeback win after Jordyn Huitema’s shot was saved.
Australia 6, Zambia 5
Australia produced a stunning comeback to beat Zambia in Nice and boost its chances of advancing to the quarterfinals the tournament.
Michelle Heyman’s goal in the 90th minute at Stade de Nice settled a thrilling match that Zambia led 5-2 early in the second half, with Barbra Banda scoring a first-half hat trick.
Zambia had been involved in the highest scoring game in the history of women’s soccer at the Olympics, beaten 10-3 by the Netherlands at the Tokyo Games three years ago, with Banda scoring a hat trick in that match, too.
An own goal by Ngambo Musole sparked Australia’s fightback in the 58th.
Japan 2, Brazil 1
Momoko Tanikawa scored a long-range goal deep in stoppage time to clinch Japan’s comeback win over Brazil.
The spectacular goal followed Saki Kumagai’s equalizer from the penalty spot after Yasmin was called for a handball at the end of regulation at Parc des Princes in Paris.
Brazil was leading 1-0 after Jheniffer’s goal in the 56th minute until Japan’s late goals, capped with Tanikawa’s strike from well outside the top of the box that caught Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena out of position.
Spain 1, Nigeria 0
World champion Spain beat Nigeria to make it two wins from two in Group C.
Alexia Putellas scored in the 85th at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes to leave Spain three points clear at the top of the group, ahead of Japan and Brazil.
Colombia 2, New Zealand 0
Colombia recovered from opening loss to France by beating New Zealand in Lyon.
Goals from Marcela Restrepo and Leicy Santos secured the win that provisionally moved the Colombians level on points with France in Group A.