Unstoppable Sophia Smith steals the show as defending champions USA crush Vietnam in Women's World Cup clash
USA kick off their quest for a historic third consecutive Women's World Cup triumph with a comfortable win over tournament newcomers Vietnam, thanks to Sophia Smith's brace and Lindsey Horan's late goal in Auckland, New Zealand
Sophia Smith netted two goals for the USA in the first half as the reigning champions commenced their Women's World Cup journey with a resounding 3-0 win against newcomers Vietnam on Saturday.
Lindsey Horan further extended the lead with a third goal for the favorites, who have triumphed in four World Cup tournaments in total and are now aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive victory in this year's competition.
Vietnam's performance was reminiscent of Thailand, the team that the Americans defeated 13-0 in their opening game of the 2019 World Cup. However, Vietnam displayed resilience, keeping the game closer than anticipated, and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh made a crucial save on Alex Morgan's penalty in the first half. Morgan was momentarily injured after the rebound but swiftly resumed play, marking only her second penalty miss for the United States.
Smith, one of the 14 debutant Americans at the World Cup, demonstrated her brilliance by scoring two goals in the first half, showcasing why she was deserving of being named the Player of the Year and the MVP of the National Women's Soccer League in the previous year.
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Smith scores her first goal against Vietnam
Smith netted a goal in the 14th minute, courtesy of a pass from captain Horan. Following their achievement, both Smith and Horan commemorated with a stylishly coordinated handshake. Smith further showcased her prowess by scoring another goal just before halftime, resulting in a 2-0 lead for the team going into the break.
To reinforce their squad, the USA team welcomed young talents like Smith and Trinity Rodman, after their underwhelming performance and bagging a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Moreover, the team boasted the experience of 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe, who marked her 200th international appearance during the match against Vietnam.
Rapinoe, the scorer in the France World Cup final and recipient of the tournament's best player award, was not in the starting lineup. Prior to the team's departure for New Zealand, she declared that this would mark her final World Cup appearance, and she would retire from her professional team at the season's conclusion.
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Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe and Smith top, celebrate after Horan scored their third goal during the second half
Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle, who had been hampered by injuries leading up to the tournament, entered the game as substitutes in the 63rd minute. Rapinoe stood out with her vibrant blue hair. Additionally, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, the team's youngest player, also joined the match in the second half.
What is the schedule?
The group stage commenced and will last for two weeks, concluding on August 3. Teams that top their respective groups and those finishing as runners-up will advance to the round of 16, scheduled to be held from August 5 to August 8.The quarter-final matches are set to take place on August 11 and 12 in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney. The initial semi-final will occur on August 15 in Auckland, while the second semi-final will be held on August 16 at Sydney's Accor Stadium. The final match will also be hosted at the Accor Stadium on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
