Great Britain women’s football team got off their Tokyo 2020 campaign with a 2-0 win over Chile in Group E in the first game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Chile was making their debut at this year’s games against Great Britain’s side and it did show as they were largely pinned back in their half in the first period, with Britain registering 12 shots to Chile’s two.
The Lionesses settled down immediately into the game early and Ellen White thought she had put her team in front but the goal was ruled for offside.
White finally broke the deadlock in the 18th minute as she bundled home a Lauren Hemp header and could not muster any goal heading to the first half break.
The Lionesses continued to mount pressure on their opponent with White being a thorn in the flesh of the Chilean defense.
The goalscorer squandered a gilt-edged chance when she shot wide under pressure from a Chilean defender in the 55th minute.
However, White only had to wait until the 73rd minute to double her tally, as a Lucy Bronze cross found her free in the middle of the penalty area and she made no mistake in firing the ball past Chile’s goalkeeper, Christiane Endler, to make it 2-0.
Chile fought bravely throughout the match and will need to regroup before their next fixture against Canada – bronze medallist at the last two Olympics – on July 24.
Their final group game will be against Japan on July 27 at Miyagi Stadium.
The Lionesses will be hoping to go beyond their quarter-final appearance in London 2012.
In other Women’s football games played on Wednesday, Brazil thrashed The People Republic of China 5-0.
It was also a disappointing start for the United States Women National team as they suffered a 3-0 loss to Sweden Women’s team.