Spain playmaker Aitana Bonmati scored one goal and created another as the world champions came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in their opening Group C match in the Olympics women’s soccer in Nantes on Thursday.
Olympic debutants Spain recovered from going behind to an early goal to avenge a 4-0 group stage loss to the Asians in last year’s World Cup, which they eventually won.
Japan opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Aoba Fujino’s superb free kick sailed into the top right corner, with goalkeeper Cata Coll only managing to get a finger to it.
Ballon d’Or winner Bonmati equalised for Spain only nine minutes later with an easy finish off a through ball by Athenea del Castillo after they cut through Japan’s defence.
Spain dominated possession in the second half and took the lead in the 74th minute courtesy of a Mariona Caldentey strike following a Bonmati pass to go top of the group.
”We have started the Games very well. I’m happy for the win. The World Cup loss against Japan left us with a thorn in our side.
”The goal we conceded didn’t change our mentality. We played our football and we deserved the win,” Bonmati said.
