The United States and Japan thrashed rivals Vietnam (3-0) and Zambia (0-5), respectively, on the third day of matches of the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand while England and Denmark won by the minimum against Haiti and China, respectively, and lead Group D tied on points.
The United States took the first step
U.S. players celebrate one of the goals against Vietnam. (Reuter)
The defending champions, the United States, who are seeking the fifth world title, achieved victory (3-0) against a much inferior Vietnam, which debuts in its first World Cup, thanks to a double from Sophia Smith and a goal from Lindsey Horan in the first match of Group E.
Although it was resoundingly superior to the Asian team, the American team accumulated failures that need to improve, such as its aim or success in general of shots.
The forward Alex Morgan, one of the keys of the set, also lost a penalty celebrated in turn in a euphoric way by the Vietnamese, who crowded next to the goal to praise the feat of the goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran. Smith's show and a goal in the final stretch from Lindsey Horan sealed the American victory.
Japan showed no mercy to Zambia
Hinata Miyazawa celebrates one of his goals against Zambia. (AP Photo/John Cowpland)
The Japanese team thrashed a weak and harmless Zambia, which debuts in its first World Cup, with the goals of Hinata Miyazawa, with a double, Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki.
Japan dominated throughout the match and in all facets of the game against Zambia, who did not shoot once on goal. Despite the thrashing, the world champions and runners-up in 2011 and 2015, respectively, struggled to pierce the goal of the Africans. The first goal came two minutes before half-time and the remaining four were in the second half.
The 'Nadeshiko' saw two goals and a penalty cancelled for offside, while the 'Queens of Copper' suffered in the added time of the second half the direct expulsion of goalkeeper Catherine Musonda for penalty. Japan is first in Group C tied on points with Spain.
England had to work to beat Haiti
Georgia Stanway celebrates England's winning goal. (EFE)
The current European champions won by the minimum to Haiti with a goal from eleven meters of Georgia Stanway at half an hour of the game to take the first victory of Group D.
Sarina Wiegman's team did not show its best version in its debut in the tournament, where it was inaccurate both in attack and defense. Haiti, number 53 in the world, made the British suffer and proved to be one of the 'covered' teams of this World Cup with a great performance by forward Melchie Dumornay, who, despite not scoring, was a headache.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved Roseline Éloissaint's equalizer in the 81st minute with a great save.
Denmark found the goal at the end
Amalie Vangsgaard surrounded by her teammates after scoring Denmark's 1-0 win over China. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
Denmark won China with a goal from Amalie Vangsgaard in the last minute of a match that was very even and in which the Asian team had the best chances. In the first half there was only one shot on goal that was from the Chinese player Linyan Zhang seven minutes into the game that stopped the goalkeeper Christensen.
As soon as the second half began, Mengwen Li came close to scoring the first after hunting a bad clearance that was slightly deflected while Denmark's Josefine Hasbo sent her header out when she had the empty goal in the 50th minute.
When it looked like the match would end in draws, the newly incorporated Vangsgaard scored the winning goal (m.90) to get first in Group D tied on points with England.
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