Women Football: Banda hat-trick overshadowed by Australia’s gallant fight in 11 goal duel | Olympics 2024  

Paris Olympics 2024 (Women Football)

Results:

Group B:

• Australia 6-5 Zambia
• USA 4-1 Germany

Group A:

• New Zealand 0-2 Colombia
• France 1-2 Canada

Group C:

• Brazil 1-2 Japan
• Spain 1-0 Nigeria

Women football at the on-going 2024 Paris Olympics continued with six matches in three groups.

Australia’s 6-5 win over Zambia in group B was the highlight of the day on Sunday, 28^th July 2024.

Played at the Allianz Riviera stadium, this contest was officiated by Venezuela referee, Emikar Calderas.

By the 56^th minute mark, Zambia led the game 5-2 and it was well spelt that were destined for victory.

In a swift turn of events, Australia scored three quick goals and equalized by the 78^th minute before a match winner on the stroke of full time by Michelle Heyman.

Zambia’s star player Barbra Banda scored thrice with Racheal Kundananji adding a brace.

Australia’s goals came from various sources as Alanna Kennedy, Hayley Raso, Zambian goalkeeper Ngambo Musole (own goal), Steph Catley (brace) and Heyman’s last minute nail in the coffin of Zambia.

United States of America (USA) smiled 4-1 past Germany at the Stade Orange Velodrome during a duel handled by Yael Falcon Perez from Argentina.

Sophia Smith scored a brace as Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams added the other two goals.

Giulia Gwinn pulled back the consolation for Germany.

Group A:

In group A, Colombia defeated New Zealand 2-0 at the Groupama stadium.

Marcela Restrepo and Leicy Santos scored the goals for Colombia. This game was officiated by Kim Yujeong from the Republic of Korea.

Elsewhere, hosts France fell to Canada 1-2 at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard stadium.

Marie Antoinette Katoto gave France the half time lead with a 42^nd minute goal.

Jessie Fieming equalized for Canada in the 58^th minute and Vanessa Giles sealed the victory in the 12^th minute of added.

Referee Bouchra Karboubi from Morocco cautioned Ashley Lawrence (Canada) and Sandie Toletti (France) in the 42^nd and 76^th minutes respectively.

Group C:

In Group C, Japan recovered from a goal down to edge Brazil 2-1 at the Parc de Princes stadiu.

Jheniffer gave Brazil the lead in the 56^th minute. Two goals in added minute from Saki Kumagai and Mamoko Tanikawa completed the job for Japan where England’s Rebecca Welch was referee.

Another African ambassador Nigeria fell 0-1 to Spain at Stade de la Beaujoire where referee Tori Penso (USA) was referee.

Alexia Putellas scored the match winner with five minutes to play.

In total, 25 goals in the 8 games played on match day two.

Women football action resumes on Wednesday, 31st July 2024.