Japan tops Ecuador, wins Women's World Cup Group C

Defending Women's World Cup champion Japan topped its group by beating Ecuador to sweep all three games in the opening stage in Canada.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Yuki Ogimi scored in the fifth minute and defending champion Japan beat Ecuador 1-0 on Tuesday to become the first team to win all three of its matches in the group stage of this year's Women's World Cup.

Japan won Group C and will play in the round of 16 on June 23 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brazil, which plays Wednesday, is the only other team with a chance to go 3-0 in the group stage.

It was the 54th international goal for the 27-year-old Ogimi. Her shot from close range bounced in off the crossbar after the ball had been deflected toward an open net.

Ecuador, which was outscored 16-1 in losses to Cameroon and Switzerland, kept this one close until the end.