The Matildas made a horrendous start to their Olympic Games campaign on Thursday morning (AEST), going down 2-0 to a 10-woman Canada in Sao Paulo.

Australia’s women’s football team – considered a strong medal chance after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup – now are likely to need at least a draw against world No.2 Germany on Sunday, and victory against Zimbabwe next week, if they are to progress to the knockout stages.

It is an uphill battle for Alen Stajcic’s side, who had an extra player on the pitch for more than 70 minutes against Canada but wasted 22 shots on goal.

The Matildas were behind after just 20 seconds when Canada’s Janine Beckie scored the fastest goal in Olympic Games history.

Beckie wheels away to celebrate Canada’s opener. Photo: Getty

Australia only had themselves to blame, too, after Laura Alleway conceded possession to Christine Sinclair in sloppy fashion.

Sinclair burst down the right and crossed for Beckie to tap in from close range, but a lifeline came from the Matildas in the form of a straight red card.

Shelina Zadorsky was given her marching orders in the 19th minute for hauling down Matildas striker Michelle Heyman.

And only the woodwork denied Australia an equaliser, with the resultant free-kick, taken by Elise Kellond-Knight, crashing into the crossbar.

The Matildas dominated the rest of the first half but failed to convert their dominance and they were facing a 2-0 deficit when Canada won a penalty for handball with 18 minutes left.

Zadorsky’s foul was obvious. Photo: Getty

Goalkeeper Lydia Williams saved the Aussies, though, keeping out Beckie’s spot-kick.

But Canada did get a second goal 10 minutes from time when Sinclair – the golden boot winner at the 2012 London Games – caught Williams out.

Williams, playing a high line, rushed forward to try and clear a ball but was beaten to the punch by Sinclair, who kept her composure afterwards to slot into an empty net from 25 yards.

Heyman described the defeat as “heartbreaking” and “devastating”.

“[I am] a bit disappointed in myself, I think I created a couple of good opportunities and I should have put them away,” she added.

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic said his side’s performance after the break was “extremely disappointing”.

“[Conceding in the first minute] it’s not the start you want,” he said.

The Matildas have plenty of work to do. Photo: Getty

“I thought we rebounded really well and in the first half I thought we were the better team, even when it was on 11 v 11.

“We created a number of chances during that period and we were dangerous on a lot of occasions.

“We hit the crossbar there once and had a couple of other chances we could have done better with.

“It was really the second half that was extremely disappointing.

“We had the extra player for the full 45 minutes and just lacked the creativity, the decision making, the awareness, the quality that you need in the final third to unravel a hard-working defence.

“We weren’t good enough.”

The Matildas next face Germany on Sunday (7am AEST).