SAINT-ETIENNE — The Canadian women's soccer team is opening the Paris Games with a 2-1 victory over New Zealand.
Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens scored for the defending champions in the Group A opener at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
Mackenzie Barrie tallied early in the first half for New Zealand before Lacasse tied it late in first-half stoppage time. Viens scored the winner in the 79th minute after a brilliant pass by Canadian captain Jessie Fleming.
Assistant coach Andy Spence served as acting head coach for sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ after Bev Priestman volunteered to sit out.
Her decision came in the wake of a sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Soccer drone scandal that resulted in two members of the team's coaching staff being sent home and FIFA opening an investigation.
sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ will next play host France on Sunday.
The Canadian Press