Great Britain women’s bid to win a hockey medal at a fourth consecutive Olympics began with a narrow 2-1 defeat by Spain at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.
Laura Barrios put Spain ahead in the second minute, only for Giselle Ansley to equalize for Team GB from a penalty corner two minutes later.
Spain regained the lead after nine minutes with a penalty corner, clinically finished by Lola Riera.
David Ralph’s side pushed hard for an equalizer for the rest of the match but, despite earning 13 penalty corners, Ansley’s early goal was the only one they converted.
Opportunities from open play were harder to come by, with their best chance coming when Lily Owsley shot just wide after good work by Hannah French.
Great Britain can still advance from Pool B, with four of the six teams progressing to the quarter-finals. They will face three-time champions Australia on Monday.
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