La Canarinhas prevail in first Group E game thanks to goals from Monica, Andressa and Cristiane
Brazil’s quest for gold at their home women’s football tournament with a comfortable 3-0 victory against China at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Defender Monica scored in the first half before Andressa Alves finished off a fine move, with Cristiane sealing the victory with a late header.
Brazil dominated the opening period of the match as the Chinese struggled to contain wave after wave of yellow flooding forwards in attack. Goalkeeper Zhao Lina kept out Cristiane’s acrobatic volley and Tan Ruyin cleared off the line from another chance.
The Chinese failed to clear a free-kick launched into the penalty area and the ball found its way to Monica, who headed home from the edge of the box.
Vadao’s side increased their lead in the second half with Andressa, introduced as a substitute moments earlier, playing a through pass to Marta in behind the Chinese defence. The No10 composed herself before poking towards Andressa Alves, who side-footed home.
Andressa had a hand in the final goal of the evening too, curling in a superb free-kick which was nodded home by Cristiane who added a 13th goal to her haul across four women’s Olympic competitions.
“In the first half I had a lot of opportunities, in the second not so much but finally I scored,” Cristiane said after the match. “I played with a lot of patience and was waiting for something to happen.”
“My God, I am so happy now. We needed to win the game so we can go into the next with more confidence.”
Brazil are now the early leaders of Group E ahead of Sweden, who defeated South Africa 1-0 earlier in the day. The hosts face the Swedes on Saturday, with China and South Africa facing off in an attempt to get off the mark at Rio 2016.
