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.
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
1/9
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Tags
