Women's World Cup: USA and Japan thrash; England and Denmark win by the minimum | Summary

USA and Japan thrashed their rivals Vietnam and Zambia, respectively, on the third day of the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand while England and Denmark they narrowly beat Haiti and China, respectively, and lead Group D tied on points.

The United States, which is seeking its fifth world title, achieved its first victory, 3-0, against a much inferior Vietnam, which is making its debut in its first World Cup, thanks to a double by Sophia Smith and a goal from Lindsey Horan in the first match of Group E.

Despite being resoundingly superior to the Asian team, the American team accumulated mistakes that need to be improved, such as their aim or overall shooting accuracy.

Forward Alex Morgan, one of the keys to the team, also missed a penalty kick celebrated euphorically by the Vietnamese, who crowded next to the goal to praise the feat of goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran.

The Japanese National Team thrashed a weak and inoffensive Zambia, which debuted in a first World Cup, with goals from Hinata Miyazawawith a doublet, 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 win, the world champions and runners-up in 2011 and 2015, respectively, found it difficult to pierce the Africans' goal. The first goal came two minutes before the break and the remaining four came in the second half.

The 'Nadeshiko' saw two goals and a penalty canceled for offside, while the 'Reinas del Cobre' suffered the direct expulsion of goalkeeper Catherine Musonda for a penalty in added time in the second half. Japan takes first place in Group C tied on points with Spain.

The current European champions beat Haiti by a minimum with a goal from eleven meters Georgia Stanway half an hour into the game to take the first victory of Group D.

England did not show their best version in their debut in the tournament, where they were imprecise both in attack and in defence. Haiti, number 53 in the world, made the British suffer and proved to be one of the 'covered' teams in this World Cup with a great performance by striker Melchie Dumornay, who, despite not scoring, was a headache.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved Roseline Éloissaint's equalizer with a great save in the 81st minute.

Denmark won China with a goal from Amalie Vangsgaard in the last minute of a game that was very close 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 was saved by goalkeeper Christensen.

Right at the start of the second half, Mengwen Li came close to scoring the first after catching a poor clearance that went slightly wide while Denmark's Josefine Hasbo sent her header wide with an empty net in the 50th minute.

When it seemed that the match would end in a draw, the newly incorporated Vangsgaard headed in the winning goal at 90 minutes to go first in Group D tied on points with England.

(With information from EFE)