United States of America kick-off their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive world title with a comprehensive win over debutants Vietnam in Auckland.
Sophia Smith’s brace before half-time and captain Lindsey Horan calm finish was all that the defending champions needed to extinguish the Vietnamese.
Sophia Smith, who was making her World Cup debut opened scoring with a low drilled finish from an angle.
Sophia Smith scored a brace in her World Cup debut.
A long VAR check for offside was carried out before her second goal was awarded deep into the end of the first half.
Captain Lindsey Horan swept home the third in the 78th minute.
The US was awarded a penalty in the first half for a foul on Trinity Rodman, but Alex Morgan’s penalty was saved by Tran Thi Kim Thanh, in goal for Vietnam.
The debutants were contented with remaining in their own half for most parts of the game to ensure that they were not humiliated by the rampaging Americans.
Group E’s next matches will be on Thursday when USA will take on Netherlands while Portugal confront Vietnam
