Paris Olympic Games 2024 Football as it happened- Spain overcome Japan in opener

The referee blows the final whistle at Stade de la Beaujoire, where Spain have come from behind to defeat Japan on their Olympic debut.

La Roja fell behind to Aoba Fujino’s wonderful free-kick, but Aitana Bonmati equalised before setting up Mariona Caldentey for the winning goal of the Group C opener.

Japan launch what will be one of the final attacks of the game, and send the ball into the penalty area.

However, they are too indecisive and hesitant at the vital moments, allowing Spain to clear their lines.

One final throw of the dice from Japan as we approach six minutes of stoppage time.

Koga, who has become the youngest player to feature at the Games, makes way for Moriya.

Spain’s second-half dominance is highlighted by the fact they have enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession since the restart.

It is only their first match of the tournament, but they look like they will take some stopping in these Games.

There is also activity on the Spanish bench, courtesy of two changes.

Abelleira and Garcia are introduced in place of Guijarro and Del Castillo.

Japan make a change and Tanaka, who has been quiet today, is replaced by Chiba.

Once again, Spain knock at the door and, this time, it opens for them. Can they now see out this advantage?

Spain have turned things around! Caldentey, who has been lively in this game, neatly exchange passes with Bonmati, before brilliantly finding Yamashita’s bottom-left corner.

Shimizu leaves the field via a stretcher with Takahashi coming on in her place.

There is also activity on the Spain bench, as Hermoso replaces Putellas.

Caldentey involved again with a cheeky nutmeg that leaves Shimizu a little embarrassed.

The latter stays down in need of medical attention, which subsequently arrives along with the stretcher.

Caldentey gets a shot away as Spain threaten again, but Kumagai was well-placed to block her effort.

Torme makes her first change of the day with Carmona – the scorer of last year’s World Cup-winning goal – replaced by Hernandez.

Spain are controlling most of the possession in this second half, as they look to turn things around.

It would be some treble if La Roja were to hold the World Cup, Women’s Nations League and Olympic titles concurrently.

At the other end, Caldentey brilliantly controls an aerial ball and looks to lob Yamashita from the edge of the box, but her attempt is off target.

Japan look to cause Spain problems from a free-kick early in the second half.

Hamano, on as a half-time substitute for Seike, gets a shot away, but Coll collects.

Spain get the ball rolling again in the second half.

The referee blows her whistle and brings an enjoyable opening 45 minutes to an end.

At the midway point in this opening Group C clash, there is nothing to separate the sides.

We are going to play an additional three minutes at the end of this first half.

Japan have become a little sloppy in the past few minutes, and will want the half-time whistle now.

Paredes breaks up a Japan counter by obstructing Fujino. The Spain skipper goes into the book.

La Roja look to apply the pressure from a corner. Paredes loses her marker and manages to shoot from a tight angle, but Yamashita is equal to it.

Del Castillo embarks on a jinking run into the box, but is eventually penalised for a foul and Japan can relax momentarily with a free-kick.

Japan may be regarded as underdogs for this game, but they are in decent form – winning three and drawing one of their last four contests.

It’s quite fitting that last year’s Ballon d’Or winner is the scorer of Spain Women’s first ever goal at the Olympic Games.

Spain are level! It’s a lovely goal, too. Del Castillo neatly slips Bonmati in behind the Japan defence, and the latter calmly slots past Yamashita.

Ahead of the game, Japan defender Shimizu spoke about the importance of figuring out “how to eke out a win”.

Of course, it’s still early days, but they will be very impressed with their start here.

Spain look to quickly respond, but struggle to get a shot away in the box as the stubborn Japan defence stands firm.

Nevertheless, the referee eventually blows her whistle as the ball had gone out of play before the scramble.

What a strike! Fujino steps up to the free-kick before whipping a delicious delivery around the wall, and Coll can only help the ball into the top corner.

The reigning world champions trail in Nantes!

A nervy moment for Coll, who races out of goal to get to the ball ahead of Fujino, but does not clear properly.

Guijarro thwarts the threat with a foul near the edge of the area, and receives the game’s first yellow card as a result.

Head coach Montse Torme said Spain go into every tournament with “utmost enthusiasm and ambition” and that they will be “taking nothing for granted”. La Roja will hope they can go far again in this event.

Japan go straight down the other end on the counter, but Coll does well to deny Fujino.

The debutants go straight onto the attack and Del Castillo shoots, but her tame effort is straight at the goalkeeper.

The referee blows her whistle and we are under way!

The teams are out and will observe their respective national anthems.

We are almost ready to go in Nantes.

There are three centurions among the Spain squad. Two of them – Putellas and captain Paredes – start, while top scorer Hermoso is on the bench.

Guijarro is also back in the squad after a near two-year absence and starts in the heart of midfield.

Japan also have plenty of experience within their ranks, with seven of their players based in the Women’s Super League.

In defence, Kumagai boasts 151 international caps and, further up the field, Tanaka (36 goals in 80 caps) and Hasegawa (20 goals in 84 caps) are players to watch out for.

Spain: Coll; Battle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Guijarro; Bonmati, Putellas; Del Castillo, Paralluelo, Caldentey.

Subs: Rodriguez, Abelleira, Hernandez, Hermoso, Navarro, Codina, Garcia.

Japan: Yamashita; Minami, Kumagai, Koga; Shimizu, Miyazawa, Fujino, Seike; Hasegawa, Tanaka, Nagano.

Subs: Hirao, Takahashi, Ueki, Tanikawa, Hamano, Chiba, Moriya.

Japan are making their sixth appearance at the tournament.

Silver medallists at London 2012, they have progressed beyond the group stage in four of their five previous appearances.

Spain Women are making their Olympic debut this year, qualifying after winning the inaugural Women’s Nations League.

La Roja are aiming to become the fifth different winners of this event.

Welcome everyone to our live text coverage of the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Today, the action comes from Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, where reigning world champions Spain kick off Group C against Japan.