Women’s World Cup: Defending champions USA start with win over Vietnam

Defending champions USA have started their Women’s World Cup campaign with a comfortable win over debutants Vietnam.

Sophia Smith scored twice in the first half before captain Lindsey Horan added a third in the 78th minute.

A missed Alex Morgan penalty and a series of saves from Vietnam keeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh helped to limit the score.

Vietnam were appearing at their first ever World Cup in either the men’s or women’s game and did not have a shot for the entire game

Despite the ease of the win, USA will need to improve in front of goal if they are to earn their third successive World Cup win.

Smith fired in from a tight angle to give USA an early lead, but she needed to wait until first-half stoppage time to add her second.

Moments earlier, Morgan’s penalty was saved by Thanh after a foul on Trinity Rodman.

Chances fell to Morgan, Savannah DeMelo and Rodman but they either missed the target or were saved.

Megan Rapinoe came off the bench to make her 200th USA appearance and shot wide, while Rose Lavelle hit the bar late on.

Horan added a third in the 77th minute when she finished from Smith’s assist.

For USA, a repeat of the 2019 final against the Netherlands awaits on Thursday. The result there will give a far better idea as to whether the pre-tournament favourites could win a third successive World Cup.

Vietnam face Portugal on the same day.

Cover Photo: vintage USA Flag and blue sky” by DWilliam’s is marked with CC0 1.0 .