White's 2 goals give Britain 2-0 win over Chile in Tokyo

Posted July 21, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Britain's Ellen White (9) scores her side's opening goal against Chile during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) The Associated Press

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) - Ellen White scored a pair of goals and Britain opened the Olympic women's soccer tournament with a 2-0 victory over Chile on Wednesday.

Lauren Hemp's header put the ball in front of White for a close-in goal in the 18th minute. White's second goal was a volley to the far post in the 75th.

Chile, ranked No. 37 in the world, was making its Olympic debut. Known as La Roja, Chile qualified for Tokyo by beating Cameroon 2-1 in a two-legged intercontinental playoff.

Britain's roster for Tokyo is composed mostly of English players, but Kim Little and Caroline Weir are from Scotland and Sophia Ingle is from Wales.

Because British Olympic teams include Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland, all four must be in agreement to participate. The only other Olympics that has included a British team was London in 2012.

England, ranked No. 6, was among the top three UEFA finishers at the 2019 World Cup, which earned Britain its spot.

Britain faces Japan and Chile plays Canada on Saturday in Sapporo as group play continues.

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More AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2020-tokyo-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Britain's Ellen White celebrates after scoring her side's opening goal against Chile during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) The Associated Press

Britain's Ellen White, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's opening goal against Chile during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) The Associated Press

Players of Britain celebrate after Ellen White scoring their side's opening goal against Chile during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) The Associated Press

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