SAINT-ETIENNE: Defending women’s football champions Canada defeated New Zealand 2-1 in a Paris Olympics opening game overshadowed by the spying scandal which has convulsed the tournament.

Canada recovered from 1-0 down with goals from Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens for what might have been a routine win had it not been for the storm which saw coach Bev Priestman sit out the game after two of her staff were sent home after claims of drone use at two New Zealand training sessions.

Assistant Andy Spence stepped up as coach while Priestman, who had recused herself after New Zealand’s complaint for world federation FIFA and to the International Olympic Committee, watched it from the team hotel.

** Group B action saw four-times gold medallists United States, in their first competitive match under new coach Emma Hayes, beat Zambia 3-0 while Germany defeated Australia 3-0**

Canada Soccer has launched an independent review and FIFA has begun disciplinary proceedings.

A French court has announced that Joseph Lombardi, one of the staff members sent home, had been handed an eight-month suspended jail term.

Mackenzie Barry shocked the Canadians by opening the scoring with a goal in the 13th minute when she fired home off the underside of the bar after Katie Kitching’s corner.

Canada levelled in first half stoppage time through Lacasse from close range and Viens converted a long pass from Jessie Fleming for the 79th-minute winner.

The other Group A game saw hosts France defeat Colombia 3-2. The hosts lost control after leading 3-0 at halftime. The momentum of Colombia’s two-goal comeback was halted after a second-half red card for striker Mayra Ramirez.

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