Group C: Spain 1-0 Japan

The Spaniards took an early lead through Carmen Menayo, then defended strongly to win a hard fought contest between two sides who qualified for the competition as champions of their respective confederations.

Japan, though dominant in the possession stakes, lacked their usual incisiveness as they were limited to a single shot on target in the second half.

They had looked characteristically strong in possession early, and Jun Endo - one of three new faces from the side that beat the USA 1-0 on Monday - had what was ultimately their best chance when she skipped past two defenders to advance into the penalty area, only to be denied by goalkeeper Catalina Coll.