Six teams played their first games of the group stage on Tuesday with New Zealand, the Netherlands, Chile, Sweden, the United States and Thailand joining the party. The second round of group stage games begins Wednesday.
The United States scored a record-setting 13 goals and shut out Thailand in their opening game of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims.
Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan scored five goals, tying the record for goals in a Women’s World Cup game set by Michelle Akers in 1991. Morgan opened the scoring with a header goal in the 12th minute, and then added goals in the 53rd, 74th, 81st and 87th minutes.
“We really just came into this game, really wanted to showcase ourselves and what we’ve been preparing for and what we’ve been working on. I think we did that,” Morgan told FOX Sports’ Alex Curry after the game. “Every goal matters in this tournament. That’s what we were working on this game. We got a lot of attacks and I think that we were really clinical in the number of attacks that we did get.”
Goal No. 5️⃣ for @alexmorgan13!pic.twitter.com/zJiR3aUM60
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 11, 2019
The United States also got braces from North Carolina Courage midfielder Sam Mewis and Washington Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle. Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan, Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe, Spirit forward Mallory Pugh and Sky Blue FC midfielder Carli Lloyd rounded out the scoring.
Well, THAT was fun. ?
Sit back, relax and watch the @USWNT's record-breaking #FIFAWWC performance in our 90 in 90 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0LdFIaKVHs
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2019
At Stade Océane in Le Havre, New Zealand held the reigning European champions scoreless for 90 minutes, but the Netherlands stole the win in stoppage time when Jill Roord scored. North Carolina Courage defender Abby Erceg led a New Zealand defense that kept the dangerous trio of Lieke Martens, Vivianne Miedema and Shanice Van De Sanden off the scoresheet, but it wasn’t enough to earn a draw.
The goalkeepers were the stars of Netherlands vs New Zealand … until Jill Roord stole the show in stoppage time.
The full highlights in our 90' in 90" ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rq2e2LjjJQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2019
Late winner for #NED after a strong defensive performance from #NZL #NZLNED | #FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/uQXwYo8GOL
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 11, 2019
At Roazhon Park in Rennes, Sweden opened Group F play with a 2-0 win over Chile, with both goals coming late and after a lightning delay. Kosovare Asslani scored in the 83rd minute and Madelen Janogy scored her first Women’s World Cup goal in the 94th minute.
What a way to score your first FIFA Women's World Cup goal ???
Madelen Janogy in only her 5th international appearance sealed 3 points for Sweden in their opening match. pic.twitter.com/sf8a0z735w
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2019
