Great Britain have opened up their home Olympic Games with a 1-1 draw with Senegal at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Britain dominated possession throughout the early stages and eventually took the lead after 20 minutes when Ryan Giggs found Craig Bellamy, who thumped the ball home.
Jack Butland almost gifted Senegal an equaliser seven minutes later, presenting the ball straight to Sadio Mane, but the midfielder just missed the target from inside the box.
Giggs once again turned provider just before half-time, finding Daniel Sturridge with a long pass, but the Chelsea man couldn't apply the finish.
Senegal almost equalised immediately after the half-time interval, but Butland saved well from Ibrahima Balde's effort.
Abdoulaye Ba then came close for the African side, meeting a Pape Souare corner only to see his effort cleared away by Steven Caulker.
Bellamy had a chance to double his personal tally, and his side's lead when he was found by Danny Rose, but the Liverpool man just couldn't convert it.
The Welshman was involved again shortly afterwards when he was hauled down in the penalty area by Saliou Ciss, only for the referee to ignore the British protests.
Senegal took full advantage of their stroke of luck by equalising through Moussa Konate, who coolly slotted the ball past Butland.
Britain weren't about to go down without a fight, however, and came within inches of going back ahead when Aaron Ramsey found Marvin Sordell in the box, but the striker could only hit the crossbar with his effort when he really should have scored.
Senegal responded with a chance of their own when Kalidou Yero headed wide, before Team GB had another penalty shout turned down, this time for a challenge on Sordell.
The result means that Britain sit two points behind group leaders Uruguay, while they face UAE in their next fixture on July 29.
Barney Corkhill
