Olympic Soccer 2016: TV Schedule, Live Stream and Saturday Match Times
Soccer at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro is well underway, with all 28 teams from the men's and women's competitions having completed their first fixtures.
The women's tournament kicked off the Games on Wednesday, two days ahead of the opening ceremony, with the men's competition commencing the following day.
Brazil, Germany and France took the plaudits in their first ties of the women's event, with Portugal's downing of Argentina and South Korea's thrashing of Fiji the key talking points in the men's.
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Here's a look at the TV viewing info for Saturday's group-stage offerings. For those live-streaming, head over to NBC Olympics to catch the action.
| 2 p.m. ET/7 p.m. BST | Canada vs. Zimbabwe | F | NBC Olympic Soccer Channel |
| 4 p.m. ET/9 p.m. BST | USA vs. France | G | NBC Sports Network |
| 5 p.m. ET/10 p.m. BST | Germany vs. Australia | F | CNBC |
| 6 p.m. ET/11 p.m. BST | South Africa vs. China | E | NBC Olympic Soccer Channel |
| 7 p.m. ET/12 a.m. (Sunday) BST | Colombia vs. New Zealand | G | NBCOlympics.com |
| 9 p.m. ET/2 a.m. (Sunday) BST | Brazil vs. Sweden | E | NBC Sports Network |
Saturday is another day of games for the women, with the men's second round of fixtures set to be played throughout Sunday. Brazil's women will be eager to capitalise on their fine showing over China last time out when they take on Sweden, who beat South Africa 1-0 in their first game.
The host nation is expected to challenge for Olympic gold this summer, boasting five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta among their ranks. The 30-year-old attacker is widely considered to be the greatest female footballer of all time and demonstrated her brilliance in her country's 3-0 win against China at the Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange.
The Brazil captain, who has scored over a century of goals for her country, per SuperSport, was unable to add her name to the scoresheet in the impressive win against the Asian opposition on Wednesday, with goals from Monica, Andressa and a final-minute header from Cristiane ensuring a comfortable win.
NBC Soccer's Mark Followill noted Cristiane's goalscoring exploits:
Per Rio 2016's official website, Marta was delighted with the performance but added there was still more to come.
"China is a very difficult team," she was quoted as saying. "They had almost 10 players in defence but we scored in the first half and so they had to come out and we had more space. Scoring three times against a team like China, with all the pressure we had, I think it's super-perfect."
Brazil have reached the Olympic final twice—in 2004 and 2008—but failed to lift aloft the trophy on both occasions. In front of a passionate home support, the Canarinhas will be hoping to go one better this time around, and they must beat Sweden on Saturday.
Germany are the heavy hitters so far, having netted six times against Zimbabwe in a clear statement of intent from Silvia Neid's side. The world No. 1 had little time for pleasantries in their opener in South America, as they dominated possession from the off, demonstrating their eight-time European champion credentials.
Up next will be a tougher challenge, however; the Matildas of Australia are a combative bunch. But the Aussies showed their frailties when they fell to defeat in their clash with Canada, conceding the fastest goal in Olympic soccer history, per Fox Sports.
A defensive mix-up caused the bad start with an underhit backpass from Laura Alleway punished when Janine Beckie tapped in from close range after just 19 seconds of action.
Rio 2016 shared the moment it all unfolded:
They will be looking to bounce back from that 2-0 defeat and will enter the tie with Germany knowing their campaign could be over before the last round of fixtures should they fall to a similar fate to the prolific two-time World Champions.
In Group G, heavyweights France and the U.S. are set to meet at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. Both winners in the group openers, Les Bleus impressed with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Colombia, while the Stars and Stripes downed New Zealand 2-0.
The defending Olympic gold medalists needed just nine minutes to find the back of the net against the Football Ferns. Carli Lloyd was able to find the back of the net with a looping header.
Alex Morgan followed that up with a goal moments following half-time, as Jill Ellis' side secured its first three points of the competition. The forward's season continues to get better and better, per USWNT:
France, meanwhile, were too good for their South American opponents on Wednesday, as Colombia failed to handle their attacking talent and prolific finishing.
The two medal contenders clash on Saturday in what could prove to be a deciding moment in the lead-up up to the final of the soccer competition. Both teams enter the tie in strong form, with France unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions and the U.S. suffering just one defeat since February 2015, per Soccerway.
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