USA vs Vietnam LIVE: USWNT win 3-0 as Sophia Smith nets twice in Women’s World Cup opener
The USA are aiming to win the World Cup for the third time in a row in what is Megan Rapinoe’s final tournament
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Your support makes all the difference.Sophia Smith scored a first-half brace on her Women’s World Cup debut as the United States got their bid for a third successive title off to a comfortable start with a 3-0 win over Vietnam at Eden Park on Saturday.
The top-ranked Americans have put their trust in the next generation this year and were rewarded with a showstopping performance from the 22-year-old forward, who also provided the assist for co-captain Lindsey Horan’s goal in the second half.
Vietnam were scarcely able to breach the final third on their World Cup debut but goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh dived to her right to save Alex Morgan’s first-half penalty in one of several good chances the U.S. spurned.
The heavily American presence in the crowd of 41,107 roared with pleasure as Megan Rapinoe, who plans to retire at the end of this year, took the field midway through the second half but the 38-year-old also missed a good scoring chance.
The U.S. next face the Netherlands on Thursday in their second Group E game, a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final,
Follow live updates as the USA begin their Women’s World Cup campaign.
USA 1-0 Vietnam
27 mins: DeMelo takes a corner, but it bonks off a team-mate’s head in the wong direction and back out into midfield, before cleanly being banished by Vietnam’s defence. Despite the early goal, they’re doing a good job holding the Americans back.
USA 1-0 Vietnam
20m: Repeated close shaves for Vietnam here as US players come very close to the goal. Each time, goalie Kim Tranh Tran or one of her defenders manages to cut them off.
Vietnam's starting XI
17m: I didn't have time to post Vietnam's starting XI, so here it is!
- Kim Tranh Tran in goal
- Loan Hoang, Thu Tran, Diem My Le, Thu Tho Tran, Thu Thuong Luong, and The Tran in defence
- Tuyet Dung Nguyen, Hai Linh Tran, Thao Thai, and Bich Thuy Nguyen in midfield
- Huynh Nhu in front
USA 1-0 Vietnam
15m: Goal! First score of the match goes to USA, with Horan crossing way into midfield and Smith slotting it neatly in from the left.
USA 0-0 Vietnam
12 mins: The USA is putting Vietnam under pressure, but not without resistance. Lots of whistles, followed by free kicks and throw-ins. Lindsey Horan comes closest to a US goal, but is blocked – and ruled offside anyway.
Rodman is also back on field, apparently recovered.
USA 0-0 Vietnam
4 mins: And we’re off! The USA takes possession quickly, but Trinity Rodman goes down and stays down before a minute is out, her face twisted in pain. A stretcher is brought on, but she doesn’t want it.
The ref calls foul and gives the US a free kick. No goal, but it’s an eventful start to the match.
The Marching Song
Now it’s the Vietnam team’s turn. Their national anthem is Tiến Quân Ca, usually called “The Marching Song” in English, a military tune written in 1944 and adopted as the official anthem in 1976 following the USA’s defeat in the Vietnam war.
Oh, say can you see...
Here we go. The US women’s World Cup team is lined up for the Star-Spangled Banner, hands on hearts. It’s showtime.
Women’s World Cup: USA vs Vietnam
One to watch - Vietnam
As the only player in the Vietnam squad to play their football outside of the country and in Europe, striker Huynh Nhu will be familiar with some of her Group E rivals. The 32-year-old, who is Vietnam’s record goalscorer, plays for Portuguese side Lank Vilaverdense.
The coach
The experienced coach Mai Duc Chung, taking charge of his first and last major tournament, will look to bring the defensive organisation that earned Vietnam their historic place in the World Cup finals. Vietnam are one of the youngest teams in the tournament, with the women’s team only formed in 1990.
What are their chances?
Vietnam are featuring in their first ever World Cup, men’s or women’s, and the size of their task is clear. The USA and the Netherlands are two of the most experienced sides at the tournament, while Portugal have quality they could only dream of. Vietnam have plenty of spirit but getting at least a point would be considered a success.
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