2024-07-28 03:01:00
In their debut at the Paris Olympic Games, Las Leonas defeated the United States 4-1 and confirmed their status as podium contenders with a very exciting performance. The goals for the Argentine team were scored by Rocio Sánchez Moccia, Agustina Gorzelany, Julieta Jankunas and Zoe Díaz.
The captain and flag bearer at the opening ceremony was the one in charge of opening the scoring in the second quarter when she received a cross from behind alone and broke the tie at the legendary Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir. Before the break, Gorzelany made it 2-0 after a short corner. In the third period, Ashley Sessa scored for the United States but Jankunas, with a great backhand, made it 3-1, giving the Lionesses peace of mind. To increase the score, Zoe Díaz, a debutant player in the Argentine team, sealed the victory in the final stretch and scored her first goal with the Albiceleste jersey.
The Lionesses are in Group B along with the United States, South Africa, Spain, Australia and Great Britain. They are also seen as one of the candidates to win the gold medal after achieving five podium finishes in their last six Olympic appearances: silver in Sydney 2000, bronze in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 and silver in London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.
The next match for Fernando Ferraro’s team will be on Monday against South Africa at 12:30. This Sunday the first round of the group will be completed with the matches Australia-South Africa and Spain-Great Britain. The top four in the group will advance to the quarter-finals.