Canada beat New Zealand in women’s soccer at 2024 Olympics

Team Canada began their Olympic title defense in women’s soccer with a 2-1 victory over New Zealand at Stade Geoffrey-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France. The two Canadian goal scorers in Canada’s first game of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris were forwards Cloe Lacasse of Sudbury, Ontario and Evelyne Viens of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec. Lacasse scored in the fourth extra minute of the first half to tie the game at one, and Viens scored the game-winning goal in the 79th minute.

For Lacasse, it was her sixth international goal for Canada. She previously scored for Canada in a 2-1 Canada win over Jamaica in Toronto on September 26, 2023. This was the game that qualified Canada for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Meanwhile, Viens has also scored six international goals for Canada. Viens, who was part of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, was the recipient of a marvelous pass from captain Jessie Fleming of London, Ontario.

New Zealand opened the scoring with a goal in the 13th minute by Mackenzie Barry. However, it was a lead New Zealand could not maintain.

France was also victorious in Group A action. On Thursday, France scored three first half goals to take a 3-0 lead, and held on to beat Colombia 3-2. France is Canada’s next opponent on Sunday at 1pm MT.