USA 3 – 0 Vietnam | Group E

USA have laid down the gauntlet to the other FIFA Women’s World Cup™ title hopefuls with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in Eden Park.

It was always going to be a challenge for the World Cup newcomers, who put in an almighty shift on their tournament debut.

The Stars and Stripes made their early dominance felt when 22-year-old Sophia Smith broke the deadlock with a tidy finish under Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Than after just a quarter of an hour.

Vlatko Andonovski’s side would continue to push and could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Alex Morgan stepped up from the spot, but she saw her spot-kick well saved by Tran. Smith would find the second in first-half stoppage time, though, drilling home to double her – and her nation’s – tally.

Vietnam did well to repel USA’s onslaught after the break until Lindsay Horan was teed up in the penalty area by Smith, and finished confidently to make it three.

USA pushed hard for their fourth goal but the Vietnamese defence held firm. The newcomers acquitted themselves well against the might of the four-time champions and will take confidence into the rest of the tournament.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Tran Thi Kim Thanh of Vietnam in action during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Quotes

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Sophia Smith of USA speaks to the media in the post match press conference after the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“I feel good. I came into with the mindset of doing whatever it takes to help this team win and that’s what I’ve done. I feel relieved because I was a bit anxious going into the tournament, so it’s nice to have a win under our belts. It’s so exciting to be at this World Cup. Every moment today was fun and the crowd was amazing. I think this has been a good way to start but I know we have more to give.” Sophia Smith, USA forward and VISA Player of the Match

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of USA, speaks to the media in the post match press conference after the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“I feel great. We want to win every match, so it’s one down and now we move on to the next. We created a lot of opportunities and wanted to score more goals, but it is what it is. Hopefully we can improve on that and bring some of the good things we did today when we play the Netherlands. We take everything game by game and that [match against the Dutch] is now our focus.” Vlatko Andonovski, USA coach

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Mai Duc Chung, Head Coach of Vietnam, speaks to the media in the post match press conference the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“I am very pleased with the team’s fighting spirit today. Before the match, we promised that we might be outmatched in terms of skills, but we would definitely not be outmatched in determination and spirit.” Mai Duc Chung, Vietnam coach