The USA opened the World Cup with a narrow win against Vietnam. In the OranjeLeeuwinnen group, USA ‘only’ won 3-0.
Sophia Smith stood out for Team USA. The 22-year-old Portland Thorns attacker opened the scoring after fourteen minutes of play. Things seemed to move quickly after that, but America was anything but useful. Alex Morgan had a chance to make it 2-0, but keeper The Kim was unable to beat Tran from eleven meters out.
In injury time, Smith scored his second American win. In the second half, Lindsay Horan made the final score 3-0. Next Thursday (3:00 Dutch time), the OranjeLeeuwinnen face the USA. First, a meeting with Portugal awaits the Netherlands next Sunday.
Zambia 0-5 Japan
Later Zambia faced Japan. It ended up being a crazy game, with five goals scored and a red card awarded. Just before the break, Hinata Miyazawa opened the scoring. A penalty was awarded in the second half following a tackle on keeper Catherine Musonda.
However, VAR intervened: the penalty was canceled as it was offside. Five minutes later, Minami Tanaka made it 2-0. Miyazawa then scored the third Japanese goal, followed by Jun Endo.
In injury time, Musonda made another mistake, after which she ended up showering with a red mold in her pocket. Rico Yuki converted the penalty to make it 5-0.
Denmark 1-0 China
Denmark won the match against China in Perth. It was the first World Cup game in which no penalty was awarded. Eventually the decisive goal was scored in the 89th minute. Paris Saint-Germain’s Amalie Wangsgaard gave Denmark three points: 1-0.
