Olympic Women’s Football Report: Lacasse Equalizes, Viane Scores Winner off the Bench as Canada Overcomes New Zealand for Opening Win

In the 13th minute, New Zealand’s women’s team delivered a corner kick from the right side, and the Canadian defenders collectively missed Berry, who received the ball near the penalty spot, turned and shot, hitting the underside of the crossbar and into the net to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead.

In stoppage time of the first half, Canada sent in a cross from the right, which was flicked on at the front post, allowing Lacasse to score from close range in front of the goal, leveling the score at 1-1 for Canada.

In the 79th minute, Canada’s women’s team played a long pass into the box, and substitute Viane ran onto it and fired a low shot from a tight angle that Lit couldn’t save, finding the back of the net to put Canada ahead 2-1.

On July 26, the opening round of the Olympic women’s football group stage saw defending champions Canada’s women’s team face off against New Zealand’s women’s team.

Canada’s women’s team is currently ranked 8th in the world and are the defending champions of the tournament. New Zealand’s women’s team is currently ranked 28th, and in their last 10 meetings with Canada, they have not won a single game, drawing twice and losing nine times.

In the 10th minute, Lawrence broke through on the right and forced a cross, but the ball hit a New Zealand defender and headed towards the goal, only for Lit to concentrate and catch the ball directly.

In the 16th minute, Canada’s left flank delivered a cross, and Prince took the ball, turned, and shot from close range, but it was blocked by a New Zealand defender.

In the 26th minute, goalkeeper Lit faced pressure from Leon and kicked the ball out, which luckily did not rebound towards the goal.

In the 35th minute, Leon received the ball on the right and entered the penalty area, getting past the defense before taking a low shot from a tight angle, which was saved by the New Zealand goalkeeper diving down.

In the 42nd minute, Canada sent a long ball into the penalty area, where Lacasse took a low shot from a tight angle, but lacked power and failed to pose a threat.

In the 44th minute, a New Zealand defender nearly made a mistake while clearing the ball, and Prince’s close-range shot went wide.

At halftime, Canada drew 1-1 with New Zealand.

In the 48th minute, Lawrence broke through on the right and crossed the ball, but Prince’s shot at the front post missed the target.

In the 53rd minute, Leon cut inside the defense on the right and took a powerful shot from close range, which Lit tipped over the line for a corner. Subsequently, Canada took the corner kick, and Lit saved another header.

In the 60th minute, Canada took a free kick from midfield, and Leon’s header from close range was heading for the corner, but Lit made another key save.

In the 70th minute, Beckie brought the ball forward to the edge of the penalty area and took a long-range shot that was straight at Lit, who caught the ball.

In the 72nd minute, Viane brought the ball to the baseline on the right and crossed to the far post, where Lawrence’s shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.

In the 86th minute, Kitchen took the free kick from the edge of the penalty area but missed the target.

In the end, Canada overturned New Zealand with a 2-1 victory to start the tournament on a winning note.

Starting lineup for Canada’s women’s team: 1-Sheridan; 3-Buchanan; 14-Gilles; 12-J. Ross; 10-Lawrence; 17-Fleming; 5-Quinn; 2-Ker; 15-Prince; 11-Leon; 6-Lacasse; Substitutes: 18-DiAngelo; 20-Zadorsky; 7-Grosso; 13-Aujou; 16-Beckie; 9-Hartman; 4-Viane;

Starting lineup for New Zealand’s women’s team: 1-Lit; 14-Bowen; 13-Stout; 4-Porter; 3-Berry; 6-Sternmezz; 18-Jell; 2-Taylor; 11-Kitchen; 10-Riley; 17-Craig; Substitutes: 12-Essen; 5-Moore; 15-Green; 7-Foster; 8-Fraser; 9-Reay; 16-Hend;