USA 13-0 Thailand
The U.S. women’s national team have made it clear to their top rivals that they are indeed the team to beat in the Women’s World Cup. The defending champions trounced Thailand 13-0 in their tournament opener, breaking the record for the biggest win in Women’s World Cup history.
Seven different Americans got on the scoresheet, led by star striker Alex Morgan, who bagged a record-tying five goals herself.
USWNT coach Jill Ellis dusted off criticism of her team’s supposed unsportsmanlike conduct by continuing to run up the score, countering that it’s more respectful for her team to play hard.
The Americans certainly showed why the Women’s World Cup 2019 betting odds have them as one of the tournament favourites along with hosts France and will now look to build off such a promising performance.
Highlights of the game
With all due respect to Thailand, but there was always going to be one winner in their matchup with the U.S. The gulf in quality was so vast that SBOBET didn’t even put up odds on the 1X2 market since they would be so skewed toward the Americans. Moreover, the USWNT was favoured by over four and a half goals on the Asian Handicap market.
As it turns out, that spread could have doubled and the Americans still would have covered it.
The American onslaught began early as Morgan put the ball in the back of the net inside 10 of minutes. Unfortunately for the U.S., her goal was ruled out for offside.
However, it didn’t take long for her to officially open her account in the tournament. After some good work from Kelley O’Hara on the right wing, Morgan ghosted in between two Thai defenders inside the six-yard box and headed O’Hara’s pinpoint cross into the goal.
The U.S. doubled their lead eight minutes later courtesy of Rose Lavelle. The 24-year-old took a speculative strike from outside the box, which the Thai keeper was just unable to keep out.
And it was three after just over half an hour after Lindsey Horan hammered home from close range after the ball fell in front of her from a free-kick.
The Thais avoided any more damage heading into half-time, but the floodgates well and truly opened up as they conceded four goals in a space of six second-half minutes. Sam Mewis started the amazing stretch as her shot took a fortunate deflection off a Thai defender.
Morgan then doubled her tally as she tapped in from close range after a well-worked free-kick. Mewis and Lavelle also got their second goals of the goal with similar close-range strikes.
Morgan completed her hat-trick in impressive fashion as she expertly executed a Cruyff turn to get away from a Thai defender before delivering a clinical finish with her right foot.
Veteran Megan Rapinoe got into the act as she finished off a lightning-quick counter-attack. She then turned provider for Morgan’s fourth on 81 minutes. Rising U.S. star Mallory Pugh made it 11 minutes later as she coolly rounded the Thai keeper.
Then, Morgan produced perhaps the best of her five goals as she somehow evaded a trio of Thai defenders before unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike. Expect that goal to be included in the list of top Women’s World Cup 2019 highlights.
Lloyd, who came on as a second-half substitute, capped off the remarkable performance in stoppage time as she slotted home with the outside of her right boot.
Key statistics
Alex Morgan’s five-goal haul ties compatriot Michelle Akers’ record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup match.
Meanwhile, the Americans set a new record for both margin of victory and goals scored at the tournament. Germany previously held both records after an 11-0 win over Argentina in 2007.
In two meetings all-time, the U.S. have now beaten Thailand by an aggregate score of 22-0. Carli Lloyd starred in their first meeting in 2016 when she scored a hat-trick in a 9-0 victory, while Morgan also added two late goals.
What’s next?
Next up for the United States in Group F will be Chile, which could be a bigger challenge than the Americans realize. La Roja Femenina gave Sweden a surprisingly tough fight in their opening match. They kept the Swedes scoreless until the 83rd minute before eventually succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.
Meanwhile, Sweden and Thailand will meet in the other group game. And while the Thais will likely be big underdogs once again, they will be hoping to replicate the Chileans and keep the scoreline much more respectable.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
