Flag faux pas mars Day One
A major diplomatic incident marred the first day of competition at the London Olympics on Wednesday when the North Korea women's soccer team walked off after the South Korea flag was mistakenly displayed before their match against Colombia.
The error occurred at Glasgow's Hampden Park stadium which was hosting one of the day's six matches kicking off the women's tournament and led to a delay of more than an hour before the game eventually started with the Koreans winning 2-0.
In the day's other matches, reigning Olympic champions the United States, bidding for a third successive gold, came from behind to beat France 4-2, world champions Japan defeated Canada 2-1 and hosts Britain overcame New Zealand 1-0.
Brazil, among the favourites for gold, thrashed Cameroon 5-0 and Sweden, another possible medallist, thumped South Africa 4-1.
However, the pre-match drama in Scotland overshadowed what followed on the pitch as sporting action began around Britain two days before the official opening ceremony of the Games in London on Friday.
North Korea return to Hampden on Saturday for their next group match against France, who lost their opening game to the United States despite leading 2-0 after only 14 minutes.
France's advantage did not last long, however, as the U.S. rallied to take all three points with Alex Morgan scoring twice, Abby Wambach once and substitute Carli Lloyd grabbing the other.
RESULTS
Great Britain 1 New Zealand 0
Cameroon 0 Brazil 5
Japan 2 Canada 1
Sweden 4 South Africa 1
USA 4 France 2
Colombia 0 North Korea 2
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