U.S. women's team breaks World Cup records in win over Thailand

They’re the defending champions and the favorite to win the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) set a World Cup record Tuesday in its 13-0 routing of Thailand in its first World Cup match.

You’ve already heard it called a record-setting win. But which records did they break?

• Most goals scored by a team in a World Cup match — men’s or women’s
• Largest margin of victory in a World Cup match
• Tie: Most goals scored in a game by a USWNT player
• Most individual goal scorers in a single Women’s World Cup match

The previous record for most goals scored by a team was set by Hungary in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. In group stage match, Hungary beat El Salvador by a 10-1 scoreline. The record nine-goal margin of victory in that match was also put to rest by the U.S. Women’s 13-goal conquest Tuesday.

Alex Morgan scored five goals for the U.S., tying the most goals scored by a single player in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match. She now shares the record with Michelle Akers who scored five goals as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team in the 1991 quarterfinal match against Chinese Taipei.

Seven different women scored for the U.S.: Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle, Linsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd. That sets a new record for most individual goal scorers from a team in a Women’s World Cup match.

Here’s the list of all the goals scored by the U.S.:

• 12′ — Alex Morgan (USA)
• 20′ — Rose Lavelle (USA)
• 32′ — Linsey Horan (USA)
• 50′ — Sam Mewis (USA)
• 53′ — Alex Morgan (USA)
• 54′ — Sam Mewis (USA)
• 56′ — Rose Lavelle (USA)
• 74′ — Alex Morgan (USA)
• 79′ — Megan Rapinoe (USA)
• 81′ — Alex Morgan (USA)
• 85′ — Mallory Pugh (USA)
• 87′ — Alex Morgan (USA)
• 90’+2 — Carli Lloyd (USA)

USWNT vs. Thailand highlights and recap

The U.S. came out of the gate strong, dominating possession and keeping the ball in Thailand’s half of the field. They found the back of the net in the fifth minute on their third shot. But after VAR (video assistant referee) review, the goal was called back because a U.S. player was in an offside position.

Morgan corrected that in the 12th minute, putting away her first of the night. Kelly O’Hara played a perfect ball over the top of the defenders from the right side of the penalty area and Morgan headed it past the Thai keeper effortlessly.

By the end of the first half, the U.S. had taken a 3-0 lead. No one could have predicted they would score 10 more in the second half.

Watch all the highlights from FIFA below:

USA v Thailand – FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ by FIFATV on YouTube