Prolific striker Alex Morgan netted five goals as the United States began their Women’s World Cup defence in style with a record-breaking 13-0 rout of Thailand in Reims on Tuesday.
The reigning champions had to wait five days to start their campaign but produced an ominous performance that doubled as the biggest win in tournament history, surpassing Germany’s 11-0 trouncing of Argentina in 2007.
Morgan took her goal tally at the international level to 106 with her well-taken haul, while Samantha Mewis added a double and was involved in setting up another two goals.
Jill Ellis’ side had the three points in the bag with a 3-0 lead at half time but impressively, they did not let up after the break against a Thailand side who were well and truly out of their depth, the second half ending in truly embarrassing fashion for the underdogs.
