USWNT among big winners from first day of women's soccer at 2024 ...

Spain

The top team in the FIFA rankings to not claim a win on Thursday was world No. 7 Japan. It's no shame that they fell given who beat them: reigning World Cup winners Spain.

But it's also a feather in the cap of Spain, which has, well, some really outstanding headwear plumage in the first place.

Spain trailed 1-0 on Aubo Fujino's powerful free kick and that was an early reason for concern. But the Spanish kept nearly 70% possession and limited Japan to four total shot attempts in dominating the rest of the way. The goals coming from World Cup stars Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey were icing on the cake.

A 2-1 win was neither audacious nor unexpected, but it was really, really good.

Germany

The second-most impressive win of the day goes to the Germans, who didn't just beat world No. 12 Australia.

They towered over the Matildas.

Possession may have been shared but the Germans showcased strength and power in taking 15 shots to Australia's eight and physically over-powering their opponents without too many purposeful fouls.

Three different goal scorers dotted the sheet as well, with Wolfsburg duo Marina Hegering and Jule Brand joined by Bayern Munich star Lea Schuller in scoring the goals.

And if the U.S. was happy to have three points in the bag before meeting Germany, this win guarantees an uncertain Australia will await the USWNT on the final day.