Brazil women's football team beat China 3-0 at Rio's Olympic Stadium

The Rio Olympic games got officially underway on 3 Wednesday with Sweden's women's football team beating South Africa 1-0 in a Group E encounter at the Olympic Stadium.

Defender Nilla Fischer scored the only goal of the game to give the Swedes a winning start to their Olympic campaign.

In the other Group E encounter, hosts Brazil overpowered China 3-0 courtesy of goals from Monica, Andressa Alves and Cristiane.

In Group F, Germany thrashed Zimbabwe 6-1, while Canada also made a confident start to their campaign by downing Australia 2-0.

Team USA, who have clinched the women's football gold medal in the last three summer Olympics, opened up with a 2-0 win over New Zealand. Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan scored a goal in each half in the Group G clash at Belo Horizonte.

"That was the best way we could have started," Tobin Heath, who provided the assist that led to Lloyd's goal, was quoted as saying by Associated Press.

"We came out with a lot of energy and a lot of determination. I think in that regards we put our best foot forward and got that goal and I think that helped propel us throughout the game."

In the other Group G match, France beat Colombia 4-0.