Topics: Marta, Formiga, Brazil, China, Olympic Soccer - Women
Rainha wrote her name in the history books, as did team-mate Formiga, in As Canarinhas' convincing opening day victory.

The Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony might not take place until Friday, but the Women's Olympic Football Tournament has already commenced two days in advance, with the likes of Great Britain, Brazil, and the USWNT all taking to the field in the earlier kick-offs.

As Canarinhas enjoyed an excellent opening game as the South American powerhouse took on China on matchday 1. Pia Sundhage's side registered an impressive 5-0 triumph, with the likes of Marta, Debinha, Andressa, and Beatriz all getting on the scoresheet.

Marta, an icon of women's soccer, regarded by many as the greatest female player to have graced the beautiful game, bagged a brace in Wednesday's triumph. The Orlando Pride attacker broke the deadlock early on in the fixture, finding the back of the net after only nine minutes of play. Come the 74th minute, the 35-year got her second of the game and tripled her nation's lead, with goals from Andressa and Beatriz wrapping up the onslaught.

And with that, the iconic forward made history in the Olympic Games, becoming the first player in history to score in five successive editions of this coveted tournament, a feat that has never been achieved in the men's game as well. That's not all as her two-goal haul saw the Brazilian become the second all-time top scorer in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, with only countrywoman Cristiane sitting ahead of her.

Marta received more plaudits as she passed up an opportunity to score her third of the day. The South Americans were awarded a penalty in the final 10 minutes of the game and instead of completing her hat-trick, it was Andressa who took the spot kick.

The legendary attacker wasn't the only Selecao ace to set a record as 43-year-old team-mate Formiga became the first footballer to take part in seven Olympic Games, starting from Atalanta 1996 all the way to Tokyo 2020. Interesting fact: the Sau Paulo midfielder has featured in every single Women's Olympic Football Tournament since soccer was introduced as an Olympic sport!