Germany makes biggest start at Rio Olympics

The Rio Olympics 2016 got underway on Wednesday with Women’s football and Germany made a huge statement if intent when they clobbered African minnows Zimbabwe 6-1. Other winners on the day were defending Olympic champions and World champions, USA, their North American neighbours Canada, France, Sweden and hosts Brazil who had a comprehensive 3-0 win over China.

Sweden got the ball rolling at the games with a narrow 1-0 win over South Africa courtesy of a strike from Nilla Fischer who capitalized on a goalkeeping error.

Brazil had it a lot easier in their game against China as Monica, Andressa Alves and Cristiane all got their names on the score sheet.

Canada was the first country to break an Olympic record at the games when they scored after just 20 seconds, through Janine Beckie in their 2-0 win over Australia.

The Germans then steam rolled Zimbabwe 6-1, despite the score being 2-1 at one stage.

The USA has ruled Olympic Women’s football and chase after a fourth straight title. They owed their win to Carli Lloyd, reigning FIFA Women’s Player of the Year and Alex Morgan, who scored either side of the half time interval. The comfortable 2-0 win over New Zealand will be a great confidence booster to the World Champions.

The French women, who saw their male counterpart fall at the final hurdle of the Euros last month, will be hoping to go one better for a nation that is hurting for more reason than one. Their 4-0 opening win over Colombia will be a massive boost as they look to defy the odds and win the gold medal match.

The games continue on Thursday with the opening round of Men’s football.