US, Japan make fast starts at Women’s World Cup

Sophia Smith

The United States launched their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive Women's World Cup crown with a 3-0 win over Vietnam on Saturday, before Japan crushed Zambia 5-0.

Sophia Smith was the star of the show for holders the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, scoring twice against Vietnam and setting up captain Lindsey Horan for the third in front of just over 41,000 fans.

Japan are not the threat they were in 2011, when they went on to lift the World Cup, but they were much too good for Zambia. Zambia are the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup and they were on the back foot for long periods against a Japan team who looked like scoring every time they went forward. Much like the US against Vietnam, the scoreline actually flattered the losers and Zambia could easily have lost by more in front of 16,111 spectators in the New Zealand city of Hamilton. Hinata Miyazawa scored twice and Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki were also on the scoresheet as Japan joined Spain on three points in Group C.

Also Read: FIFA Women's World Cup: Spain cruise past Costa Rica 3-0

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