Sweden ended the United States' 44-game unbeaten run with a 3-0 win in the Olympics group stage on Wednesday and Megan Rapinoe hailed them as one of the best European sides ever.
Strikes either side of the half-time whistle from Stina Blackstenius and a goal by Lina Hurtig proved the difference as Sweden claimed a famous triumph over their heavyweight rivals, who they defeated on penalties in the 2016 quarter-finals.
The world champions enjoyed a two-year spell without losing before the Group G opener but will quickly have to bounce back if they are to follow up their France 2019 success with Olympic gold.
Rapinoe found it hard to defend the USA's performance as she credited Sweden's hard-working display.
"We did not play a very good game and that is to take nothing away from Sweden, they played a great game," the attacking midfielder said after the match.
"This is the highest level and these are the best teams in the world. Sweden are one of the best ever in Europe and the world. If we don't play well we don’t win these games.
"We want to be a lot better, we played a bit tight and hurt ourselves a lot. You can't say one thing specifically.
"I can't remember the last time we gave up a goal, so to give up three is not great but we know what we need to do to win these games, get out of the group and go from there."
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski refused to panic and is keen to see a response against New Zealand on Saturday.
"It has put us in a big hole and we are the only ones who can get ourselves out of it," he said. "It is not going to be easy. We have to get good results in the next two games, but I know this team will not give up.
"I don’t remember this team losing 3-0 in recent history so it is a bit of a shock, but everyone is positive. We still have games ahead of us. We have got to bounce back. We have to forget this game and focus on the next one."
In contrast, Blackstenius, whose brace sealed a remarkable victory, spoke glowingly of her team, who were without Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson for the win.
"I'm very happy about the goals - of course I'm happy to score. The team helped me very much and I think I could have scored at least two more but I don't want to focus on that. I'm just happy and proud of the team", the forward said.
“We developed our game and our play. It's very good and we have so much quality in every player. Every player is also very different from the other. We have so many players that can do good stuff and as a team we are very good. Every player is very happy about going very attacking."
Hedvig Lindahl, though, maintained that Sweden's win was simply a starting point and that Peter Gerhardsson's side had not achieved what they had come to the Games for yet.
"It's just the first group game, we haven't won anything yet. We need to keep going," the veteran goalkeeper said. "If you have one high into lows in the group then this means nothing. But to win against the USA, it's something we can take some confidence from.
"You can go very far in a tournament even if you lose to the USA or whoever you play in the first game, so I don't know how much it means, but we showed the world and ourselves that we can play good against a team like the US and any team."
The United States got off to an awful start in Tokyo as they lost 3-0 to Sweden to end a 44-match unbeaten streak, while Brazil's Marta enjoyed differing emotions as she netted against China in a 5-0 win to make Olympic Games history.
The USA came into the Games as firm favourites for the gold medal, but Sweden offered a rude awakening for the reigning world champions. They had previously not been defeated since back in 2019 before that run was ended by their emphatic setback in the Group G opener.
Goals either side of half-time from Stina Blackstenius and another from Lina Hurtig did the damage, and while the USA were denied twice by the woodwork, Sweden were deserved winners to repeat their quarter-final shoot-out victory over the same opposition at Rio 2016.
In fact, Sweden's three-goal win was the first time since 2008 that the USA have lost in a major tournament by multiple goals and only the sixth time in their history that they have lost a game by three or more goals.
While the USA struggled, Brazil gave an early signal of their intent. Marta's opener made her the first player, male or female, to score at five consecutive Games, while the 35-year-old also moved to second in the all-time top scorer list at the Olympics.
The Brazil forward's record-breaking outing in Group F stole the headlines, but 43-year-old Formiga made history herself. She became the first women's footballer to appear in seven editions of the Games, and is hoping to become the oldest female representing Brazil to claim an Olympic medal, a record previously held by 38-year-old volleyball star Fofao.
In more routine fashion, Great Britain got off to a strong Group E start as they cruised past Chile 2-0, with Ellen White netting both goals.
White spoke of her pride after the win and credited her team-mates who provided the chances for her brace.
"I'm obviously delighted to contribute to the team winning, to score two goals. I feel really proud to open the Olympics with Team GB," the forward said.
"It was a great header down from Lauren Hemp for the first one and an amazing cross from Lucy Bronze for the second.
"We've been working really hard to get to this point. I feel really delighted with where I'm at the moment, but I feel there's still more to come. Collectively as a squad we [can] grow and get better as the tournament goes on."
Team GB and Chile both took the knee, as did the USA and Sweden in their fixture, as athletes across the globe continue to make a stand against racism.
Meanwhile, Barbra Banda announced herself on the world stage with a hat-trick, despite Zambia going down 10-3 to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands led 6-1 at half-time following Vivianne Miedema's hat-trick and a brace from Lieke Martens.
Sarina Wiegman’s side then added four more goals in the second half, with Miedema getting a fourth, before Banda hit back twice in the final 10 minutes.
Kevin Durant believes rivals of the United States will go into the Tokyo Olympics confident of producing an upset.
Winners of the last three Olympic gold medals, the USA are strong favourites to make it four in a row, with Australia and Spain seen as their closest challengers.
But Team USA have had a far-from-ideal Olympics preparation, defeated by Nigeria and Australia in exhibition games, though they did beat Spain in their final warm-up contest in Las Vegas.
They have lost significant players including having to make two late roster changes, adding JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson to replace Kevin Love and Bradley Beal.
Love withdrew with a calf injury, while Beal had to drop out due to health and safety protocols.
USA face France in Saitama for their Group A opener on July 25 and Durant feels the favourites must be on guard.
"All of them [Olympic tournaments] are difficult," he said. "Every team wants to beat us, everybody wants to see us lose, so every game has a little bit more pressure to it.
"A lot of guys dropped out, a lot of circumstances, and I'm sure other teams are seeing us lose and feel confident coming into the tournament.
"But we understand what we're getting ourselves into and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Durant feels like the team is starting to come together after those exhibition defeats.
The Brooklyn Nets forward added: "I feel like we're understanding what coach wants from us on both ends of the floor.
"Guys are getting more comfortable with each other and their roles on the team, and that's only going to bode well for us as we start to play real games.
"So it was good to kind of get a punch in the mouth early on to remind us that it's not gonna be a cakewalk.
"And so many people are used to Team USA coming in and blowing everybody out, so it was good for us to see that. Now, hopefully, those are the last losses."
After the conclusion of the NBA Finals, head coach Gregg Popovich is poised to welcome Devin Booker, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday to the set-up.
He is not sure how quickly the trio will adapt to new surroundings but is glad to have them en route.
"Well, there's not a whole lot you can do when they get here the day before," said Popovich.
"It's pretty obvious that they won't know everything that’s been going on, but luckily it's basketball. We'll try to keep it simple and just take care of what we think we can take care of.
"The good thing is they'll be in shape. I don't know how the plane's gonna affect them, that's not an easy flight.
"It is true that they won't be as ready to play in the sense of execution that we might want, but that's understandable
"We are not sure [how we will incorporate them]. Something like that is pretty unique, there's no paradigm or game plan or rulebook.
"So it's something we'll discuss the rest of the week and just do what we think is best - it'll be an interesting situation for sure."
Popovich was asked if the players will have any film or play packages to review on the flight to Tokyo.
"They're gonna sleep," he replied.
In a further boost to the roster, USA guard Zach LaVine has cleared health and safety protocols so he will also travel to Tokyo and join up with the team.
Brazil great Marta has become the first footballer in history to score in five consecutive Olympic Games.
Marta scored the opener from close range after nine minutes and later added a second-half strike as Brazil thrashed China 5-0 to open their campaign in Japan.
The 35-year-old made her Olympics debut back in 2004 when the Games were held in Athens.
Marta went on to score in the Beijing, London and Rio tournaments before also netting in Tokyo on Wednesday.
She is yet to win the Olympics, though, earning silver medals in 2004 and 2008.
Marta's team-mate Formiga, who is impressively still playing at 43, also broke records by playing against China.
An astonishing 25 years on from her Olympics debut in Atlanta in 1996, Formiga has become the oldest player in the history of football at the Games.
She is also the first Brazilian to compete in seven editions of the Olympics.
Next up for Brazil is a clash with Netherlands on Saturday.
Dani Alves has revealed he has nerves and "butterflies" as he prepares to finally make his Olympics debut at the age of 38.
Sao Paulo defender Alves has 118 caps and four trophies for the senior Brazil team but has never previously played at the Games.
He is one of the over-age players for the Selecao in Tokyo and it is an opportunity he is relishing and even apprehensive about despite his illustrious career at club and international level.
Brazil are among the favourites to win the men's competition along with Spain and France.
They open their campaign against Germany in Group D on Thursday.
"As it is my first time, the feeling is even more special," said Alves, who will captain the team.
"Despite the fact I have great experiences in the past, as it's my first time here I feel butterflies on my stomach and I hope to live up to the expectations of the competition and of our national team.
"I can say my experience will be similar to those that are also coming here for the first time.
"Being here is really a special feeling. As we say, third time lucky. I tried twice, I could not and the third time I managed. So here I am.
"I would like to thank you also for the respect, for the opportunity to be here. Those of you that know me know that I have a young spirit."
Brazil beat Germany on penalties in the final of the Rio Olympics five years ago to clinch the gold medal on home soil.
Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia are the other teams in a competitive pool.
"Indeed, it is a classic [fixture]," coach Andre Jardine said of the opener against Germany. "It has had a wonderful track record and it is an honour to be part of history.
"Both teams have mutual respect for each other and I expect that it will be a difficult game. It will focus on the detail, on the strategy and also on the concentration.
"I hope that we enjoy and that we are able to write one more page on the history and I hope this page is the Brazilian one."
The men's side will hope to emulate the women's team, who got their Olympics campaign off to an impressive start with a 5-0 win over China.
Alun Wyn Jones has been deemed fit enough to skipper the British and Irish Lions against South Africa as Warren Gatland predicted an "arm wrestle" in the first Test after naming his XV for the match.
Jones has recovered from the dislocated shoulder he sustained in the tourists 28-10 win over Japan at Murrayfield last month.
The Welsh lock will win his 10th successive Test cap in Cape Town on Saturday and joins an illustrious list of Lions players to have achieved the feat.
Gareth Edwards (10), Graham Price (12), Mike Gibson (12) Dickie Jeeps (13) and Willie-John McBride (17) have all reached the milestone, although Jones is the first in the professional era.
Lions head coach Gatland warned Jones and his team-mates to be ready for a gruelling tussle against the Springboks, the current World Cup holders.
"We know what we're coming up against on Saturday. It’s going to be an arm wrestle, there’s no doubt about it," he told the British and Irish Lions website.
"We'll need to front up physically and be ready to go from the first whistle. When we played South Africa A last week we probably took a bit too long to get into the game, something we can't afford to do that again this weekend.
"We need to make sure we play in the right areas of the field, not give them easy territory and take our chances when they come."
Jones is joined in the second row by England's Maro Itoje while compatriot Luke Cowan-Dickie, Wales' Wyn Jones and Ireland's Tadhg Furlong make up the front row.
Courtney Lawes will play on the blind side flank on his first full Test appearance, having won his previous two caps from the bench against New Zealand in 2017.
Lawes' England team-mate Tom Curry has been named on the open side, with Irishman Jack Conan securing the number eight shirt.
Scotland's Ali Price is at scrum-half and has Wales number 10 Dan Biggar for company in the half-back berths while Robbie Henshaw has returned from a hamstring injury to partner Elliot Daly in midfield.
England's Anthony Watson wins his fourth Lions Test cap as he takes his spot on the wing opposite Duhan van der Merwe, with fellow Scot Stuart Hogg at full-back.
The starting XV includes three Scots for the first time since the 1997 Tour to South Africa.
"In my four tours as a Lions coach, this was by far the hardest Test selection I have been involved in," Gatland added.
"We couldn't have asked for more from the players so far. They've all put their hands up and made picking a starting XV incredibly difficult.
"In truth, we would have been happy with any number of different combinations across the 23, however, we're very pleased with the side we've settled on."
British and Irish Lions: Stuart Hogg, Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly, Robbie Henshaw, Duhan van der Merwe, Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Wyn Jones, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan
Replacements: Ken Owens, Rory Sutherland, Kyle Sinckler, Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Liam Williams
Brisbane has been formally confirmed as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had already made the Australian city in the state of Queensland its preferred candidate and no other hosts were considered.
Brisbane is the first bid to win the right to host the Olympics uncontested since the 1984 Games staged in Los Angeles.
The bid proposed 32 venues, with The Gabba stadium, a prominent international cricket venue, set to be refurbished as part of the proposals.
The Gabba is in line to host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the leading athletics events.
India, Indonesia, Qatar, Germany and Spain had all been interested in hosting the Games but did not advance to IOC board approval, with Brisbane fast-tracked.
Australia has twice staged the Olympics previously, in Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000).
Following the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo, which started on Wednesday, the Olympics will go to Paris in 2024 and LA in 2028 before Brisbane four years later.
An emotional Mike Budenholzer struggled to sum up Giannis Antetokounmpo's incredible impact for the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA Finals MVP looked on.
Antetokounmpo scored 50 points for the Bucks in Game 6 on Tuesday, inspiring a 105-98 win against the Phoenix Suns that clinched the team's first title in 50 years.
Coach Budenholzer was close to tears as he described his post-game celebrations with the team and was not entirely comfortable discussing Antetokounmpo's performance as the 'Greek Freak' himself waited for his own media duties.
But Budeholzer was keen to highlight the two-time MVP's display from the foul line, so often criticised in recent seasons.
A 50-point showing was the best of Antetokounmpo's playoff career – and the joint-best in the clinching game of a Finals series – and was boosted by a remarkable 17 made free throws from just 19 attempts.
Only three times in Antetokounmpo's career – regular season or playoffs – has he previously made more shots from the foul line.
This was his best return in a playoff game, ahead of the 16 made from 22 attempts against the Boston Celtics in 2019.
Antetokounmpo's 89.5 per cent free-throw shooting in Game 6 was way up on his playoff career average of 61.3, but Budenholzer insisted he had no doubts the 26-year-old would deliver.
"It's hard to find more words to describe what Giannis does," the coach said as Antetokounmpo waited in the room.
"But the way he made his free throws, the way he did everything, stepped up, the poise, the confidence, the leadership... he has been working on it.
"We say we want Giannis to get to the free throw line. We believe. We talked about it this past summer.
"To win a championship, you've got to make free throws and you've got to make shots. He's made shots throughout the playoffs. He's made free throws throughout the playoffs.
"[Five] blocked shots, however many points. He's off the charts. He's the MVP of the NBA Finals."
Antetokounmpo made seven of seven from the line and six of 10 from the field in the third quarter as he put up 20 points.
Having also scored 20 in the third quarter of Game 2, Antetokounmpo became the first player in the past 50 seasons to have multiple 20-point quarters in a Finals series.
"Mostly in halftime, we were talking about defense. We had 47 points against us and we think we can be better," Budenholzer said.
"But I think he embraces us being great defensively – Giannis does, the whole team [does].
"When we get stops and get out and run and get Giannis in space, get our team in space, I think he's special.
"He was able to put his stamp on the game in the third quarter and flip the score. And then some big plays in the fourth quarter – big plays, big blocks. It's hard to keep finding words for Giannis."
Giannis Antetokounmpo has explained how the late, great Kobe Bryant made him believe he could become a superstar in the NBA.
Milwaukee Bucks talisman Antetokounmpo led his team to their first NBA title in 50 years on Tuesday, scoring 50 points – the joint-most in the clinching game of a Finals series – in a 105-98 Game 6 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Antetokounmpo's efforts were recognised with the NBA Finals MVP award, adding to his 2020 double of the regular season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Only Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon have also taken all three individual honours across their careers.
But Antetokounmpo's first MVP recognition in 2019 represented a breakthrough, rising to a challenge set by Bryant.
Replying to an Antetokounmpo message that said he was "still waiting for my challenge" in 2017, Bryant replied on Twitter: "MVP".
The Los Angeles Lakers great – a five-time champion and two-time Finals MVP – then raised the bar further once Antetokounmpo established himself as the regular season's best.
In a Twitter post that was shared by the NBA again on Tuesday, Bryant wrote: "My man....M.V.P. Greatness. Next up: Championship. #MambaMentality"
The league posted at the end of Game 6: "Challenge complete."
Pau Gasol, Bryant's team-mate on the 2009 and 2010 title-winning Lakers teams, added: "He did it, brother #MambaMentality #KobesLegacy"
Antetokounmpo was asked about his 2017 exchange with Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, in his post-game media duties and explained: "It means a lot. This started almost like a joke at first.
"It was a Nike ad and he was sending challenges to players, to Isaiah Thomas, DeMar DeRozan, all of that. And I was like, 'Let me just shoot my shot... what's my challenge?'
"He said MVP, and at first I was joking, I didn't think he was going to respond to me.
"But when he did, he made me believe. Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this? I can play at a higher level, lift my team and win MVP?
"I had to do it. I had to work hard. It's not necessarily that I didn't want to let him down, I had to work because people believed that I could do it.
"That's the thing, I'm a people pleaser. I don't like letting people down.
"When I re-signed with the city of Milwaukee, that's the main reason I re-signed: because I didn't want to let the people down and [have them] think I don't work extremely hard for them, which I do.
"Being able to accomplish those things in this period of time is crazy. It's unreal, freakin' unreal. I can't believe it."
Will Smith hit a walk-off home run as the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers claimed a come-from-behind 8-6 win over the San Francisco Giants in MLB on Tuesday.
With the Dodgers trailing 6-5 at the bottom of the ninth inning with two runners on base, Smith homered off Tyler Rogers.
Smith's three-run home run was his third career walk-off homer and first since 2019.
It capped a thrilling game where the Giants had led 6-1 after their fifth inning at bat, before the Dodgers stormed back with three runs in the sixth.
Dodgers pitcher Josiah Gray had seven strikeouts on the mound across four innings.
But there were a few concerns for the Dodgers, too, with Max Muncy and Justin Turner leaving the game with shoulder and knee issues respectively.
Altuve doubles up
Jose Altuve homered twice as the Houston Astros won 9-3 against the Cleveland Indians. Leading off, Altuve hit a solo home run, with his second homer marking his sixth career multi-home run game and second of the 2021 season.
Freddie Freeman hit a solo go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, his 22nd homer of the season, to help the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Estevan Florial homered in his third career game as the New York Yankees won 6-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Reyes and Cardinals let it slip
Alex Reyes normally has a good record closing games out, but he walked two batters after the St Louis Cardinals had held a 6-1 lead heading into the ninth inning. The Chicago Cubs got going and Ian Happ drove in two as they produced a six-run ninth to win 7-6.
Abreu crushed a mammoth
Jose Abreu produced something special for the Chicago White Sox with his three-run home run sealing a 9-5 triumph over the Minnesota Twins. Abreu has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, with five doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI.
Tuesday's results
Oakland Athletics 6-0 Los Angeles Angels
Kansas City Royals 5-2 Milwaukee Brewers
Washington Nationals 6-3 Miami Marlins
New York Yankees 6-4 Philadelphia Phillies
Cincinnati Reds 4-3 New York Mets
Tampa Bay Rays 9-3 Baltimore Orioles
Detroit Tigers 4-1 Texas Rangers
Atlanta Braves 2-1 San Diego Padres
Houston Astros 9-3 Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox 9-5 Minnesota Twins
Chicago Cubs 7-6 St Louis Cardinals
Seattle Mariners 6-4 Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks 11-6 Pittsburgh Pirates
Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 San Francisco Giants
Giants at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers' series against the San Francisco Giants has been captivating with Tuesday's walk-off win, and they will meet for the third time on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo says it means everything to him to win the NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks who drafted him in 2013.
Antetokounmpo starred with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks as the Bucks won the NBA Finals in six with a 105-98 Game 6 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
The Bucks' triumph ends their half-century wait for an NBA title and comes after losing in the Conference semi-finals in 2020 and the Conference finals in 2019 when Antetokounmpo was MVP on both occasions.
"It means a lot," Antetokounmpo, who was pick 15 in the 2013 NBA Draft, said post-game about winning the title with the Bucks.
"I want to thank Milwaukee for believing in me. I want to thank my team-mates, they played hard every single game.
"I wanted to do it in this city, I wanted to do it with these guys. I'm so happy we were able to get it done."
Antetokounmpo was full of praise for team-mate Khris Middleton who came up with some key late shots to finish with 17 points and get the Bucks home.
The pair have been team-mates at Milwaukee since Antetokounmpo was drafted by the Bucks and Middleton was traded from the Detroit Pistons in 2013.
"This guy doesn’t really know how much he pushes me," 26-year-old Antetokounmpo said about Middleton. "He pushes me every day to be great.
"I'm happy that I can step on the floor with this guy. We've been together for eight years.
"I'm happy I was able to do it with him, with these guys and as coach Bud [Mike Budenholzer] says, we've got to do it again."
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday arrived from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of this season, seen as one of the missing pieces in the Bucks' jigsaw.
Holiday only contributed 12 points and 11 assists offensively, but he played a key role defensively, blanketed Devin Booker, who finished with 19 points.
"They embraced me," Holiday said post-game about the Bucks after being traded from the Pelicans.
"They told me what to do from the beginning. I've seen all the work they've been doing and how close they've gotten. They believed in me.
"Coming here was obviously the greatest thing in my career."
Giannis Antetokounmpo has produced a performance for the ages to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971 after a 105-98 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
The Greek forward scored 50 points with 14 rebounds and five blocks in a monster Game 6 performance, including a 20-point third quarter after the Suns charged back in the second.
Antetokounmpo's haul was his third 40-plus-point display in the NBA Finals, while he reached 20 points in a quarter for the second time in the series, which is a feat which had not been achieved since Michael Jordan in 1993.
The 26-year-old, who shook off his demons to be exceptional from the free-throw line with 17-from-19, also becomes only the seventh player in the history of NBA Finals to have a 50-point game.
It came as no surprise as Antetokounmpo was named MVP of the NBA Finals after a heroic series. His achievement is more remarkable given he overcame injury after he hyperextended his knee in the Conference Finals.
Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday were subdued early in Game 6, with Antetokounmpo ably taking the lead role. Middleton came through with some key late buckets, finishing with 17 points, while Holiday had 12 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.
Veteran Suns guard Chris Paul scored 26 points with five assists, while Devin Booker's shooting radar was off, with 19 points at 36.4 per cent from the field.
Antetokounmpo was the lead act as the Bucks ended their half-century wait for an NBA title, helping Milwaukee get off to a flying start with a 29-16 opening quarter at the Fiserv Forum.
Bobby Portis provided early support with 10 points as Holiday struggled for offensive impact, before the Suns responded with an 8-0 second-quarter run to lead 47-42 at half-time.
Phoenix led by as much as seven points early in the third quarter but Antetokounmpo was at the forefront of the Bucks' response, with a memorable 20-point period.
The Suns got as close as four points with less than 90 seconds remaining after Jae Crowder's pair of free-throws, but Middleton's jumper followed by a duo from the stripe sealed victory for the Bucks.
The Tokyo Olympics officially got underway on Wednesday as hosts Japan defeated Australia 8-1 in softball in Fukushima.
The commencement of softball, which returns to the Olympics for the first time since 2008, precedes Friday's Opening Ceremony for the controversial Tokyo Olympics.
Softball, along with women's football, both begin on Wednesday, with men's football to commence on Thursday.
Australia registered the first run of the Olympics when Michelle Cox touched down on home plate in the first inning but Japan raced away with the win.
Naito Minori hit a two-run home run at the bottom of the third inning to open up a 3-1 lead for Japan. The hosts added three runs in the fourth, aided by a two-run home run to left field from Yamato Fujita, before Yu Yamamoto homered in the fifth.
In the opening day of softball, Italy are also due to play the United States, followed by Mexico and Canada in Fukushima.
The 2020 Games, delayed by a year due to the global health pandemic, will be held mostly without spectators due to a state of emergency being declared in Tokyo.
The number of new coronavirus cases in the Japanese capital topped 1,000 for five days running before dropping to 727 on Monday.
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