Tokyo 2020 Olympics women's football LIVE: Team GB make winning start as Sweden stun USWNT

Sweden have extended their lead over the USWNT to 3-0 thanks to a fine header from Lina Hurtig. Hurtig wriggled free of her marker to nod home a cross from the left, leaving the U.S. with mountain to climb in the final portion of the game.

GOAL: Sweden 3-0 United States (Hurtig)

The United States, clear pre-tournament favourites, are in real danger of defeat in their opening group game today! A Sweden corner is flicked on, hits the far post, and rebounds perfectly for Blackstenius to fire into the roof of the next for her second and her country's cushion in this game. The goal is checked by VAR for an offside, buit is quickly given. Well well well...

GOAL: Sweden 2-0 United States (Blackstenius 54)

Ellen White with a pair of close range volleys, she was also denied a couple more by VAR and the offside flag. An easy win for Team GB, who will face stiffer tasks from Japan and Canada in the week ahead.

FT: GB 2-0 Chile

Routine win for Hege Riise's side to open Olympics campaign

10 shots to 3, 6 on target to 1, 7 corners to 1 - Sweden are dominating the stats, and are dominating the game. What can the USWNT do about it?

HT: Sweden 1-0 United States

Could we be set for a big upset on Olympics day one?

Team GB's dominance has finally been rewarded, and Ellen White's persistence earns her a second goal. It's a fine finish too, scissor kicking in a floated cross to the left hand side. Poor Chilean marking though, giving White way too much room.

GOAL: GB 2-0 Chile (White 70)

An acrobatic finish to surely seal three points

Totally deserved! Sweden have had so much joy attacking down the right, and finally&nbsp;Sofia Jakobsson finds a team-mate with a cross. Blackstenius stoops to conquer, flicking in a low header at the near post. This certainly wasn't in the script for the USWNT.

GOAL: Sweden 1-0 United States (Blackstenius 25)

So far, so good for Team GB, who have dominated possession and chances in Sapporo. The'r only goal has come through a close range White finish however - while it stays like that, Chile will still believe they have a chance.

HT: GB 1-0 Chile

Britain comfortable thanks to White strike

White has finally put Britain ahead! Lucy Bronze hangs a high cross from the right to the far post, with Endler stranded underneath. Lauren Hemp gets around the back to knock-down a header for her strike partner, and the Manchester City forward fires into the roof of the net. Deserved for Team GB.

GOAL: GB 1-0 Chile (White 16)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🔴⚪🔵 Team news is in. Your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamGB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamGB</a> starting line-up for the opener against Chile ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/83kAFLJbmT">pic.twitter.com/83kAFLJbmT</a> — Team GB (@TeamGB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamGB/status/1417734837864124418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Subs: Telford, Stokes, Ingle, Parris, Williamson, Scott, Toone Kirby, Niamh Charles, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Sandy MacIver are the four players who don't make the 18.

Team GB starting XI announced

Chelsea striker Fran Kirby misses out due to a knock

All KO times are UK: Group E 8.30am - GB v Chile 11.30am - Japan v Canada Group F 9am - China v Brazil 12noon - Zambia v Netherlands Group G 9.30am - Sweden v USA 12.30pm - Australia v New Zealand The strange group numberings are because the men's pools are A to D, with the women following on. Nope, no idea either.

Today's fixtures

All 12 teams are in action on the opening day of the women's Olympic football competition.

That's it from Goal's coverage of the Olympics for today! Join us again on Saturday when Team GB resume their campaign against Japan and the wounded United States team take in a must-win fixture against New Zealand.

Thanks for joining us!

United States Women's star Megan Rapinoe admitted that they allowed nerves to get the better of them during their opening 3-0 loss to Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics. “We got our asses kicked, didn’t we? I thought we were a little tight, a little nervous, just doing dumb stuff," she said after the game.

Rapinoe: We got our asses kicked didn't we?

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> FINAL | Not the start we wanted but plenty of tournament to play. We go again on Saturday. 🇺🇸 0-3 🇸🇪 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/dkb50GKpc1">pic.twitter.com/dkb50GKpc1</a> — U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USWNT/status/1417792213291966464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

USWNT stunned in opening game

Canada captain Christine Sinclair has given her country the lead against Japan in her 300th appearance at international level. Her initial first time effort from a low cross hit the post, but she reacted quickest to tap home the rebound.

Canada snatch early lead against Japan

Japan's Group E contest against Canada is now underway at the&nbsp;Sapporo Dome. The two nations have met 14 times previously, with Japan winning in their last clash at the Algarve Cup in 2019.

Japan v Canada gets underway

Sweden have made a huge statement by thrashing the reigning world champions 3-0 in their opening Group G fixture. Two goals from Blackstenius and a late effort from Hurtig gave the Swedes all three points, with the final result putting huge pressure on the United States ahead of their next outing against New Zealand on Saturday.

FT: Sweden 3-0 United States 

Press has come close to getting the USWNT on the scoresheet once again! This time the 32-year-old got in between two Swedish defenders to meet another cross from the left, but her powerful header was turned past the post by a strong hand from the opposition goalkeeper.

Press comes close again!

Christen Press has squandered the chance to reduce the deficit after great work from Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe sent a teasing cross into the box after racing down the left-wing, but after taking the ball down expertly, Press dragged her effort wide of the post

Press squanders late chance

The United States are running out of time to get back into the match, but have made two more changes of their own to try and step up a gear. Tierna Davidson and Kristie Mewis have been introduced to the action for Dunn and Lavelle.

Unites States running out of time

Sweden make two more substitutions for the final ten minutes, with Jakobsson making way for Madelen Janogy and Angeldal coming off for Hanna Bennison.

Double change for Sweden

Team GB boss Hege Riise has told reporters after her side's 2-0 win over Chile:&nbsp;"The strategy since we started working together has been to keep possession, control the game, play in behind over the back line. Try to keep attacking in their half and control the game. "First 30 minutes we looked great and then it became a bit slower, we had chances, we totally deserved three points and we kept them away from our goal - that was important. We were strong enough to keep them away out of possession which is good."

Team GB boss Riise revels in first win

20 minutes to play in Tokyo, and Sweden still look comfortable. Can they hold out for a famous win?

Joy for Sweden

While the USWNT are struggling, Brazil have laid down a huge marker in their Olympic opener. A penalty from Andressa and a late strike from Beatriz have rounded out a five-star win, after a double from Marta and Debinha's first half effort.

FT: China 0-5 Brazil

Vlatko Andonovski has not tasted defeat since succeeding Jill Ellis as USWNT manager after the 2019 World Cup. Barring a remarkable turnaround, he will suffer his first today. US have been as poor as Sweden have been very good. The marking on Blackstenius for that second goal was non-existent.

Andonovski on verge of first loss

Julie Ertz is another brought on at half time for the Americans, and is already having an impact in midfield, with more forward impetus and a desire to win the ball higher up the pitch. A brief medical break, as Tobin Heath gets treatment for taking the ball flush in her face.

Ertz impressive after half-time sub

Can the US imporve in these coming 45 minutes? They absolutely have to if they want anything from this match. The immensely experienced Carli Lloyd, 39, is among those coming on. This is her 308th international cap, which is frankly awesome.

Sweden 1-0 United States: Second half underway

Marta has her second strike of the game, and her 12th in Olympics competition - just two off the all time record. If Brazil go deep at Tokyo 2020, you would back her to take compatriot&nbsp;Christiane's all-time record of 14.

China 0-3 Brazil: Marta closing on the goal record

Now the US are motoring, this was their best attack of the game so far. Rose Lavelle flies into a deep cross from the right and meets the ball with a bullet header, but it clatters off the woodwork&nbsp;and flies wide. Into two minutes of stoppage time.

Lavelle hits the post

A little bit of history in Sapporo, as Sophie Ingle comes on as a second half sub for Team GB and becomes the first female Welsh footballer to play at the OIympics. GB totally in command and heading for three points.

GB 2-0 Chile: Five minutes to play

The US did not trail once in their triumphant 2019 World Cup campaign. They are behind and struggling in their opener here. Other than an early Alex Morgan header, they have offered very little.

Sweden continue to dominate

The second half has just begun , and 43-year-old Formiga has come on as a sub to set an Olympic record. She is the oldest footballer ever to compete at the Games, and is playing in her seventh Olympics.

China 0-2 Brazil: Formiga makes Olympic history

It's a humid day in Japan, and both sides need to take on fluids with 31 minutes played. The US need that break, and they need to reorganise - they have been entirely second best so far. Just before, Crystal Dunn needed to make a super last-ditch tackle to deny Sweden what appeared a nailed-on second goal.

Drinks break in Sweden v US

Tobin Heath has been very quiet on the right of the American attack, however she gives her opponent twisted blood as she tries to find space in the Swedish box immediately after the opener. Sweden prove just as dogged in defence, and the ball is cleared.

USWNT almost respond immediately

Naeher rarely has to work as hard as this in a USWNT international. Stina Blackstenius and&nbsp;Asllani the latest to force her into routine saves. USWNT are being overrun in midfield and out wide. A rethink is badly needed here.

Sweden continue to press

The Man City forward goes down in the area, but after a lengthy check of the pitchside monitor, nothing is given as White was offside. GB still on top with 30 minutes to play.

GB 1-0 Chile: White denied penalty by VAR

Fridolina Rolfo with the best effort of the game so far for Sweden, striking from the edge of the area left footed and forcing&nbsp;Alyssa Naeher into a smart low save. That is immediately followed by an even better chance - Crystal Dunn is caught in possession, it breaks to striker&nbsp;Kosovare Asllani however she cannot curl her shot around Naeher. The US are hanging on a little here.

Sweden spurn two great chances

Christiane Endler nearly gifts GB a second, the Chile keeper's loose pass is intercepted by White however she cannot control teh ball, and the Chilean defence clear to bail out their No 1.

GB 1-0 Chile: Almost a keeping nightmare

USWNT have not begun like the heavy favourites most commentators had them down as. Sweden are camped in the American half, and are causing constant issues for the defence. The first time the US go forwards however, they make a good chance - Christen Press with a good cross from the left, however Alex Morgan cannot direct her header on target.

Sweden on top against United States

Whoever is running this live blog in 11 years time with be covering action from Australia. It has been confirmed this morning that Brisbane will host the 2032 Games - hardly a surprise, as it was the only official bid being considered.

Brisbane to host 2032 Olympics

GB v Chile has kicked off in the second half. Sweden meanwhile cause minor panic in the USWNT box with a free kick that isn't immediately cleared, however a shot from 18 yards trickles wide.

Back underway in Sapporo

Anthems have been sung, and we are underway. The US are world champions, but remarkably the World Cup holders have never gone on to win the Olympics. Can this US side full of veterans and huge names of women's soccer break that curse? You can find out more about them in our feature <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/uswnt-last-dance-veteran-core-final-shot-olympic-glory/1of5xbuftt98t1tfv28r3ycie6" target="_blank">here</a>.

KICK OFF: USWNT v Sweden

Brazil have done what GB failed to do, and turned their first-half dominance into a second goal. Debinha has slotted their second against China, tapping in after a goalkeeping error, with just 23 minutes on the clock.

Brazil 2-0 China

The favourites are about to get their Olympic campaign underway against Sweden. Here's a reminder of their starting XI: Naeher; Hara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn; Lavelle, Horan, Mewis; Heath, Morgan, Press

USWNT 10 minutes from kick-off

Ellen White is fed by a superb through ball and is clean through, however is denied one-on-one by Endler. It would not have counted regardless, the offside flag belatedly went up.

Into stoppage time

Action is underway in Group F too, where Brazil have gone in front early against China. Veteran star Marta opens the scoring from a rebound after Debinha's header hit&nbsp;the post. It's Marta's 11th Olympic goal, tieing her with Canadian Christine Sinclair and behind only fellow Brazilian Christiane (14). She's also the first player, male or female, to score in five consecutive Olympic Games.

Brazil 1-0 China

GB defender Rachel Daly takes a speculative shot from distance, well off target. The tempo of the game has decreased somewhat, GB keeping possession and control.

10 minutes to half-time

Karen Araya has their first shot of the game, a 30-yard bouncing effort which GB keeper Ellie Roebuck gatheres with ease. Chile were the final team to qualify for this tournament, beating Cameroon in a play-off. They very much look like they are just making up the numbers so far.

Chile struggle to create

Hemp fires over from the edge of the area. A quarter of the way through this match, and you can only see GB going on to win by three or four unless Chile really pull something out.

Team GB strike first

Worth noting, both sides took the knee as symbolic protest against discrimination before kick-off at the Sapporo Dome.

Taking the knee

Ellen White has the ball in the net for Team GB, tucking away a rebound after Endler pushed away a Georgia Stanway shot from the right. However, she just moved a fraction too soon, and the assistant's flag is raised for offside.

GOAL... disallowed!

GB have started stronger in the early five minutes, Caroline Weir with the first effort on target after a cross from the right, however her stabbed volley was into the ground and bounced into the hands of Chille keeper Christiane Endler. A Lauren Hemp free kick from a dangerous spot on the left is then headed clear.

GB on top early on

The United States begin their Olympic campaign in about an hour against Sweden, who dumped them out in the quarter-finals of Rio 2016 - here are the starting XIs. Sweden: Lindahl;&nbsp;Glas, Ilestedt, Bjorn, Andersson;&nbsp;Angeldahl, Asllani, Seger;&nbsp;Jakobsson, Blackstenius, Rolfo US: Naeher;&nbsp;O'Hara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn;&nbsp;Lavelle, Horan, Mewis;&nbsp;Heath, Morgan, Press

USWNT team to face Sweden

Team GB are heavy feavourites here, with England - who make up the majority of the squad - ranked 31 places above Chile in the FIFA world rankings. But the South Americans are making their Olympic debut and will surely put up a huge fight. Here we go!

KICK OFF

And the anthems are underway. I was getting international football withdrawal after the end of the Euros. Good to have it back.

The players are on the pitch

After facing Chile today, Team GB will take on hosts Japan, again in Sapporo as they are today, on Saturday, before facing Canada in Kashima on July 27. If they progress from the group, either by finishing in the top two or being one of the two best third place finishers, they will play in the quarter-finals on July 30. The semis are on August 2, with the final on August 6.

GB's road to gold

When looking at teams that could challenge the U.S. women’s national team for Olympic gold this summer, Great Britain certainly have a right to be in that conversation. But while a gold medal is what this group is aiming for, their ability to achieve such a feat has been hampered by their preparation for the Games, the degree to which will only become apparent as the tournament gets under way. Our women's football correspondent, Amee Ruszkai, has examined the situation <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/team-gbs-chaotic-preparations-for-tokyo-2020-why-an-olympic/fhppzcf87vb215mf8qblzel3s" target="_blank">here</a>.

Why an Olympic medal could be beyond Team GB

Endler; N. Lopez, Pardo, Guerrero, Saez; Zamora, Y. Lopez, Araya, Lara; Urrutia, Aedo. Subs: Campos, Ramirez, Acuna, Balmaceda, Toro, Grez, Mardones. Jimenez, Pinilla, Diaz and Canales the four players out of the 18.

Chile team to face Great Britain

A year late, with no fans and the overhanging worry of coronavirus still entirely present - but the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (as they are still called) are finally here, and they kick-off with the opening matches of the women's football tournament. All 12 teams are in action today in the opening round of group games; we'll be focusing on Team GB and the United States, with updates from the other matches thrown in.

The Olympics are about to begin

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Tokyo 2020 Olympics women's football LIVE: Team GB make winning start as Sweden stun USWNT | Goal.com

Follow all the action with our dedicated live text coverage as Great Britain and the United States begin their campaigns to win women&apos;s football gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics