Canada wins after scandal –

Evelyne Viens scored in the 79th minute as reigning Olympic champions Canada won 2-1 over New Zealand in a match marred by allegations that drones were used to spy on their rivals’ practice.

Following the game, it was announced that coach Bev Priestman had been suspended from her position for the remainder of the Games.

The Canadian Olympic Committee said in a statement that assistant coach Andy Spence will lead the team.

The Group A clash in Saint-Etienne was fraught with controversy after two Canadian coaching assistants were sent home for allegedly being involved in the use of drones over New Zealand’s training sessions.

COLOMBIA was shaken by conceding three goals in the first half against France, but the reaction fell short and they succumbed 3-2 to the hosts.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored twice and Kenza Dali added the other goal as France got off to a flying start in Group A.

It was a first half to forget for the Colombians, back in Olympic football after missing the Tokyo 2020 event. Linda Caicedo, Catalina Usme and Mayra Ramírez had no weight in the generation of offensive play and everything pointed to a catastrophe in Lyon.

MALLORY SWANSON scored twice in the first half as the United States opened the scoring with a 3-0 victory over Zambia, giving new coach Emma Hayes a win in her first major tournament in charge.

Trinity Rodman also scored for the United States, which is trying to extend its Olympic record with a fifth gold medal.

Zambia’s match became more complicated when they were one man down from the 33rd minute following the expulsion of Pauline Zulu.

SPAIN had to come from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in Group C, thanks to a goal and an assist from Aitana Bonmatí.

In their first Olympic Games, Spain had to swim against the tide in Nantes after Aoba Fumino gave the Japanese the lead with a brilliant free kick in the 13th minute.

In other results, Brazil beat Nigeria 1-0.—AP

Robo Mask

Javier Mascherano reported robbery of his players at the training base.

They file a complaint

The Argentine delegation has filed a complaint with the Lyon police, the Saint-Étienne prosecutor’s office confirmed yesterday. “They came into the training and robbed us,” Mascherano said. “Thiago Almada was missing a watch, rings, everything… During a training session at the Olympic Games.”

Chaotic start

It has been a troubled start to the Olympic Games for Argentina, which won gold in the 2004 and 2008 games.

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