Audio By Carbonatix
The United States launched their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive world crown with a comfortable win against Women's World Cup debutants Vietnam in Auckland.
Sophia Smith struck twice before half-time for the four-time world champions in front of thousands of travelling USA fans in a crowd of 41,107.
Smith, one of 14 players in the squad appearing at their first World Cup, fired the number-one ranked team in the world ahead with a low-drilled finish from an angle.
Her second was awarded following a lengthy check by the Video Assistant Referee for an offside before captain Lindsey Horan, after an assist by Smith, swept home the third in the 77th minute.
There was a memorable moment for Vietnam keeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh when she was mobbed by her jubilant teammates after keeping out Alex Morgan's penalty, which was awarded for a foul on Trinity Rodman.
Vietnam rarely managed to get out of their own half but worked hard and produced a gritty defensive performance to keep the scoreline respectable.
Latest Stories
-
Driver injured in accident on Ejisu Manhyia-Adadientem road
14 minutes -
Public lands should be managed by Lands Commission – Dr Godwin Djokoto
20 minutes -
JoyNews uncovers details behind arrest of 17 Burkinabe soldiers by Ghanaian security officials
27 minutes -
Fixing public transportation chaos in Accra goes beyond the procurement of buses
29 minutes -
Police arrest aide to NTMT boss amid intensified crackdown on illegal logging
33 minutes -
Accra transport breakdown linked to fragmented planning – CUTS
35 minutes -
Coconut Grove Regency CEO urges deliberate tourism, better sanitation and local production
1 hour -
Bosome Freho MP reveals how Dr Bawumia “quietly” funded tiling of Pentecost Church
1 hour -
34 injured as bus crashes at Asuboi on Accra–Kumasi Highway
2 hours -
Galamsey: NAIMOS arrests foreign nationals, cleans up Birim River
3 hours -
Man captured in viral video assaulting lady remanded amid fresh sextortion allegations
4 hours -
Around 1,500 soldiers on standby for deployment to Minneapolis, officials say
5 hours -
Faisal Islam: Trump’s Greenland threats to allies are without parallel
5 hours -
Ex-GBA President accuses NDC of driving move to remove GBA from constitution
7 hours -
Trump’s double pardon underscores sweeping use of clemency
8 hours