Team GB's women celebrated a first Olympic soccer match in 9 years with a thumping 2-0 win

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Team GB's women celebrated a first Olympic soccer match in 9 years with a thumping 2-0 win
Team GB face hosts Japan next after beating Chile 2-0 Masashi Hara/Getty Images
  • Team GB's women's soccer team started its Olympic campaign Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Chile.
  • Manchester City's Ellen White scored once in each half in a game the British squad dominated.
  • In its first Olympics since 2012, the team is now set to play the hosts, Japan, on Saturday.
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In its first Olympic match in nine years, Team GB's women's soccer team produced a dominant performance in a 2-0 victory over Chile.

Manchester City's Ellen White, who is the fifth-highest scorer in history for England, opened the scoring in the 18th minute when she prodded home from inside the 6-yard box.

White then doubled the British squad's lead with a well-taken volley in the 73rd minute.

Britain dominated possession from the outset, and it was not long before the team had the ball in the net.

White, who scored 10 goals in 22 appearances in last season's Women's Super League, was in the right place to convert a rebound in the 10th minute after Chilean goalie Christiane Endler parried a shot into her path, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

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Eight minutes later, and Britain was ahead. Lucy Bronze, a teammate of White's at Manchester City, dribbled down the right flank before sending a cross to the back post.

Lauren Hemp, another Manchester City player, rose and won an aerial duel with her opponent, allowing her to head the ball back across goal for White, who tapped into an empty net.

Britain looked comfortable throughout the first half but was unable to add to its advantage before halftime.

The second period began in the same vein as the first, though, with Britain pushing for a second goal.

It eventually got that goal in the 73rd minute, when Bronze and White combined again. The right back skipped past her marker before floating a pass toward an unmarked White.

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The 32-year-old striker rotated her body to allow her to raise her foot and volley past a helpless Endler.

The goal put the result beyond doubt, and Chile ended the game having had just one shot on goal.

With the victory, Team GB moved to the top of its group ahead of the Japan-Canada game on Wednesday. The British squad's next match is against the hosts, Japan, on Saturday.

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