MARSEILLE: Scandal-hit Canada kept alive its hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of Olympic women’s soccer with a win over France on Sunday as the United States joined Spain in the round of 16.
Reigning champions Canada went into the match against the hosts with hopes hanging in the balance after being handed six points by the spy scandal.
The drone was used in training in New Zealand ahead of Canada’s first game, which they won 2-1.
Coach Beverly Priestman has been suspended by FIFA for a year.
France took the lead through Marie-Antoinette Katoto just before half-time, only for Jessie Fleming to equalize after the break in Saint-Etienne.
Canada was staring at the Olympic exits until Vanessa Gilles struck after an injury in the 12th minute.
The result, coupled with Colombia’s 2-0 win over New Zealand, means all four teams in Group A can still progress.
In Group B, Sophia Smith scored twice as the United States beat Germany 4-1 to stay on course for a record fifth gold medal.
Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams were also on the score sheet.
The opener came in the 10th minute of a steamy night in Marseille when Trinity Rodman played a one-two down the right before slotting in a low cross which was converted by Smith.
Julia Gwinn’s fine low strike brought Germany level midway through the first half, but the USA were quickly back in front when Swanson netted after Smith’s shot was deflected.
Smith got her second and third for the U.S. a minute before the break with a shot from the edge of the box that trickled over the keeper and off the post.
Swanson set up substitute Williams to seal the win and put the United States on top of the group with six points.
In the same group, Australia staged an incredible comeback to overcome a three-goal deficit to beat Zambia 6-5 in Nice.
The Matildas were heading for a second successive defeat when they trailed Zambia 5-2 early in the second half, but Michelle Heyman’s 90th-minute strike came back to win.
Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the first minute for Zambia and added to the hat-trick as Racheal Kundananji struck twice.
When Kundananji headed in to make it 5-2 in the 56th minute, it looked like the game was over, but Zambia’s defensive gifts put last year’s World Cup semi-finalists back on track.
Lushomo Mweemba played in by clearing keeper Ngamba Musole into the net for an own goal and the keeper then headed home Steph Catley’s free kick to make it 5-4.
Catley converted the penalty to make it 5-5 and Heyman came through for the winners in the 90th minute.
Spain beat Nigeria 1-0 in Group C, with Alexia Putellas scoring a late free-kick to send the world champions through to the quarter-finals.
Earlier in the same group, Momoko Tanikawa scored a stunning 96th-minute winner as Japan beat Brazil 2-1 in Paris.
Japan were staring at a second straight defeat after Jhennifer put Brazil ahead early in the second half. However, captain Saki Kumagai took a penalty in the 92nd minute before an incredible first-time shot from distance by 19-year-old substitute Tanikawa.
