Olympics-Soccer-Underfire Canada stun France with dramatic 2-1 win; US, Spain advance to quarter-finals

Paris 2024 Olympics - Football - Women's Group A - France vs Canada - Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Saint-Etienne, France - July 28, 2024. Andy Spence stand in coach of Canada celebrates with his players after the match. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

PARIS (Reuters) -Reigning champions Canada got a lifeline at the Paris Games following a 2-1 last-gasp win over hosts France, while Spain and the United States claimed wins to reach the quarter-finals on the second matchday of Olympic women's football on Sunday.

Canada's quest to defend their 2021 gold medal was marred following a drone spying scandal that led to a year-ban of coach Bev Priestman and a six-point deduction by world governing body FIFA from the Olympic tournament.