Spain - Brazil

Another intense day of footballing events took place today in Paris in a boiling Paris. The first women's team to compete on 31 July were Brazil and Spain. 

On the weekend Japan came from behind to beat Brazil 2-1 and maintain their chances of qualifying meaning Brazil had an uphill battle ahead of them and needed a win.  

As anticipated, Brazil faced a tough challenge against Nigeria but ultimately secured a crucial 1-0 victory in their World Cup group stage match. This hard-fought win was vital in a challenging group that features reigning world champions Spain, emphasising the importance of every point earned.

Against World Cup holders Spain, however, Brazil came up short losing 2-0. Footballing legend Marta left the pitch in tears after being sent off with the realisation that there was every chance of a group-stage exit in the women's Olympic football tournament. 

Marta was shown a straight red card in first-half stoppage time in Bordeaux for a rash and dangerous high tackle on Spain captain Olga Carmona right in front of the referee. The 38-year-old was inconsolable as she walked off the pitch in what could turn out to be her final act at an Olympic Games.

Athenea del Castillo tapped in midway through the second half to put already-qualified Spain ahead, and Alexia Putellas curled in a beauty for the second goal in the 17th minute of an interminable amount of injury time. Spain's third straight win in Group C means they will head to Lyon for a last-eight tie on Friday.

Japan - Nigeria

Other of the main events last weekend were about Spain and Nigeria, with Spain into the quarter-final after finally breaking Nigeria's defence after a valiant effort from Nigeria.  However, it was a moment of ill-discipline to concede a needless free-kick out wide. Goalkeeper Nnadozie was in two minds whether it was a cross or a shot and in the end, it looped over her head. 

In the end, Japan finished second in the group after beating Nigeria 3-1 at the same time in Nantes, with Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka and Hikaru Kitagawa scoring their goals, the latter from a fine free-kick. Christy Ucheibe replied for Nigeria, who go home without a point. Japan, silver medallists in 2012, will play their quarter-final in Marseille. Japan took a well-deserved win, showing a solid performance in both attack and defence. Nigeria, despite their best efforts, failed to turn the tide in the second half. However, although it was not reflected on the scoreboard, the Nigerians put on a display that kept the Japanese fans on their toes.

Australia - United States

Today, the United States has already qualified from Group B before facing Australia, with Germany taking on Zambia at the same time. Also, Australia had been given a boost earlier in the day after Canada was deducted six points after the New Zealand Olympic Committee reported a drone was flown over the Football Ferns’ training session on Monday, which could help them sneak through to the quarter-finals. 

In past events, the Matildas of Australia go 4-2 down at half-time to Zambia in a must-win game after their opening loss. But that wasn't the end of the scoring. After six goals in the first half, we got five in the second, as Australia staged an incredible comeback to win 6-5. 

Zambia - Germany

Zambia came to place with a loss of 6-5 with the Australian team last time. But today Germany beat Zambia 1-4 with a Lea Schüller that was outstanding. Schüller opened the scoring for Germany after 10 minutes. Klara Bühl increased the lead at the break. Barbra Banda reduced the deficit after 50 minutes. With 61 minutes on the clock, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's team increased the lead with a goal by Lea Schüller. Elisa Senß rounded off the scoring with a goal in the final moments of the match.

New Zeland - France

France overwhelmed New Zealand in the final group stage match of the Paris 2024 Men's Olympic Football Tournament (0-3). The hosts held nothing back before taking on Argentina in the quarter-finals, with goals from Mateta in the 18th, Désiré Doué in the 70th and Arnaud Kalimuendo Muinga in the 73rd.

Colombia - Canada

The first match last week was Colombia vs. New Zealand, in which the Colombian team continued to make history and achieved its first victory in the Olympic Games with a 2-0 win, so they came to the area with a big smile today. Canada is the reigning Olympic champions, having won the gold medal at Tokyo 2020 thanks to a colossal performance from the penalty spot, but only a few glimpses of that team remain.

The Canadian women's football team has been also under pressure and embroiled in controversy after it was discovered that they used drones to spy on New Zealand's closed practice session in Saint-Étienne before an upcoming game last week.

Once French authorities had traced the drone back to a Canada Soccer technical analyst Joseph Lombardi, both Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander, who received the espionage report, were expelled from the games.

Canada's hopes of defending their Olympic women's football title at this summer's games were then dealt a huge blow on Saturday when FIFA decided to fine the team six points and suspend coach Beverly Priestman from any football-related activity for a year.

While accepting the fate of the suspended individuals including the "absolutely heartbroken" coach Priestman, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer have now applied to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to either reduce the number of points deducted or cancel the deduction altogether.

The panel of arbitrators is being constituted. A hearing with the parties involved and a panel of arbitrators will now likely take place on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, before a final decision is expected to be issued the following day on Wednesday, 31 July 2024.

Ranking of results

• Group A: NZL 1-2 FRA, COL 0-1 CAN; France, Canada, Colombia advance
• Group B: AUS 1-2 USA, ZAM 1-4 GER; USA, Germany advance
• Group C: BRA 0-2 ESP, JPN 3-1 NGR; Spain, Japan, Brazil advance

The quarter-finals are as follows, to be played on 3 August:

• USA vs Japan, 15:00, Parc des Princes
• Spain vs Colombia, 17:00, Lyon Stadium
• Canada vs Germany, 19:00, Marseille Stadium
• France vs Brazil, 21:00, Stade La Beaujoire, Nantes