Key Events
In the 11th minute, Spanish goalkeeper Corral made a mistake clearing a high ball, and defender Giliaro accidentally fouled Minami Tanaka during her defense, earning a yellow card. Fujino Aoba delivered an extremely impressive free-kick that curled over the wall and into the top right corner of the goal. Spain women’s team 0-1 Japan women’s team.
In the 22nd minute, Spain equalized! Castillo sent a through ball from the edge of the penalty area, and Bonmatí cleverly cut in and calmly shot past Yuga Yamashita to score. Spain women’s team 1-1 Japan women’s team.
In the 74th minute, Spain took the lead! Bonmatí provided the ball, and Caldenti dribbled inside the box, opened up the angle, and scored into the far corner. Spain women’s team 2-1 Japan women’s team.
Match Report
At 23:00 on July 25, in the first round of Group C of the Paris Olympic women’s football tournament, Spain women’s team faced off against Japan women’s team.
Less than a minute into the match, Castillo intercepted the ball on the right flank of the front court, dribbled into the penalty area, and fired a low shot which was safely caught by Yuga Yamashita.
In the 3rd minute, Fujino Aoba received a through ball, rushed into the penalty area, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Corral.
In the 10th minute, Bonmati fouled Fumahara Nagaharu from behind during a midfield battle and was warned by the referee.
In the 26th minute, García struck a powerful shot from outside the box, hitting Komiya Hina in the face; the medical staff entered the pitch for emergency treatment.
In the 40th minute, Paredes received a corner kick from the left side, turned around in the penalty area, and unleashed a left-footed shot which was deflected away by the foot of Yuga Yamashita.
At halftime, Spain women’s team and Japan women’s team were temporarily tied at 1-1.
In the second half, both teams changed ends. In the 50th minute, Japan created a threat with a free-kick opportunity, and Mai Hamano struck a shot in the penalty area which lacked power and was collected by Corral.
In the 58th minute, during a Japanese counterattack, Corral came out of the goal and successfully cleared the ball from under Fujino Aoba’s feet.
In the 67th minute, Risa Shimizu twisted her ankle while battling for the ball; after emergency treatment by the medical staff, she was unable to continue and was replaced by Takana Takahashi.
In the 84th minute, Bonmatí decisively took a cold shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball was collected by Yuga Yamashita.
In the 89th minute, Butler crossed from the left wing too close to the goalkeeper, and the ball was claimed by Yuga Yamashita.
The match ended with Spain women’s team overturning Japan women’s team 2-1, securing a winning start to their Paris Olympic group stage campaign.
Player Lists
Spain women’s team starting lineup: 13-Corral; 4-Paredes; 2-Butler; 18-García; 14-Aleixandri; 11-Putellas; 6-Bonmatí; 12-Giliaro; 8-Caldenti; 9-Paraluélo; 7-Castillo
Substitutes: 1-Riviere; 5-Hernández; 16-Codina; 3-Abella; 10-Hermoso; 17-García; 15-Nuño
Japan women’s team starting lineup: 1-Yuga Yamashita; 4-Kumagai Saki; 3-Moha Minato; 6-Koga Tako; 8-Kiyoko Seike; 7-Hina Komiya; 2-Risa Shimizu; 15-Fujino Aoba; 11-Minami Tanaka; 10-Fumahara Nagaharu; 14-Yui Nagasawa
Substitutes: 18-Chika Hirao; 20-Tomoya Moriyama; 5-Takana Takahashi; 12-Momoko Tani; 9-Riyo Tanaka; 19-Rinka Chiiba; 17-Mai Hamano