Highlights from USA vs Vietnam, Women’s World Cup

Our live coverage has ended. See how USA vs Vietnam unfolded below and follow the Women’s World Cup here.

United States head coach Vlatko Andonovski, center, talks with Julie Ertz during the first half of the match between the United States and Vietnam on July 22.

US coach Vlatko Andonovski thought his team should have scored more goals in their win over Vietnam.

The USWNT kicked off their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory in the Group E match at Eden Park in in Auckland, New Zealand. 

With the USWNT looking for an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, Sophia Smith — starring in her first World Cup — opened the scoring with a low left finish in the 14th minute on an assist from Alex Morgan.

Morgan had a chance to double the UWSNT’s score in the 44th minute but had her penalty from the spot saved by Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.  

However, Smith made it a first half brace, scoring her second goal seven minutes into extra-time to give USA a two-goal lead. 

In the 77th minute, US co-captain Lindsey Horan added an insurance goal for the American women, firing in a cross from Smith into the back of the net. 

And coach Andonovski was pleased with the performance of the US’ young stars, saying they met his expectations.

Looking forward to the team’s next game against the Netherlands in Wellington on Thursday, Andonovski said he believed the younger players will be “a little more encouraged” and have “less nerves.”

United States' Lindsey Horan and Vietnam's Thi Van Su Ngan battle for the ball during the match between the United States and Vietnam on July 22.

The United States women’s national team kicked off their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Vietnam in the Group E match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. 

Should the USWNT lift the trophy next month, it would be the first time in history that a team — men’s or women’s — has won three consecutive World Cup titles.

But how did they become so dominant? Every dynasty has a beginning, that someone or something which sets in motion the line of succession; the visionary with the ambitious plan, aiming for a future others think fanciful; the iron-willed followers bringing it to fruition, leaving unshakable foundations from which others can build.

Anson Dorrance knew he was a pioneer during his eight years as head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). It was obvious, he says. “You’re trying to do things that have never been done,” he tells CNN Sport.

Any understanding of how and why the USWNT is women’s soccer’s dominant force, a four-time Women’s World Cup winner and favorite to win the next edition currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand, must start with Dorrance, the groundbreaker and the bricklayer.

Read all about the US history makers and the groundbreakers here.

Sophia Smith’s double against Vietnam makes her the second-youngest player in USWNT history to score multiple goals in a World Cup game.

Smith, age 22 years and 346 days, is also the 4th USWNT player ever to score two or more goals in their women’s World Cup debut.

To cap it off, the NWSL MVP was also named Player of the Match against Vietnam by tournament organizers.

Back-to-back defending champions USA will next play against the Netherlands, in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, on July 27 in Wellington, New Zealand (July 26 in the US).

US veteran Kelley O’Hara spoke of the importance of introducing new players to the squad after the US victory over Vietnam.

Many young stars are in the US squad, which is bidding for its third consecutive title on the world stage.

“A lot of these players got their first World Cup game in, which is really exciting for them,” O’Hara told CNN.

O’Hara, 34, said she had some words of encouragement for the younger players before kick-off.

“So yeah, just kind of given them that that boost of confidence and just you know, the little just arm around the shoulder and you guys got this.”

One of those young players, forward Trinity Rodman, said the US team, “were in a really good mind space” going into the match.

Minutes after kick off, 21-year-old Rodman was taken off the field for a few minutes for treatment after she fell backwards in a challenge.

“I’m just gonna ice my back and be ready for the next game,” she said.

This post has been updated.

Lionel Messi made his long-awaited debut with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami with a flourish only the world’s top player could produce.

Playing in the Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Cruz Azul, Messi scored the game-winning goal in the final moments of the second half, curling in a magnificent free-kick strike from outside the box to seal the 2-1 Inter Miami victory at sold-out DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Read more here.

Sophia Smith competes against Thi Kieu Oanh Luong of Vietnam.

Double goalscorer Sophia Smith, who made her World Cup debut for the US today, was named Player of the Match, organizers announced Saturday.

And she almost grabbed a hat-trick. Smith came close to scoring a third early in the second half, only to be denied.

Defending champions Team USA lead Group E after their 3-0 win over Vietnam.

Megan Rapinoe, left, and Sophia Smith, top, and Lindsey Horan, right, celebrate after Horan scored the United States' third goal against Vietnam.

A huge roar from the 41,000-plus crowd greets the final whistle — and the reigning Women’s World Cup champions are well on the way to defending their title.

Team USA lead Group E after a 3-0 win over Vietnam at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

Newcomer Sophia Smith scored a first-half double and captain Lindsey Horan added a third in the second half in a dominating US performance that kept Vietnam’s defense busy.

Vietnam goalkeeper Thi Kim Tranh Tran made some crucial saves — including a penalty from US veteran Alex Morgan.

The US are chasing a potential “three-peat” at this year’s tournament.

Should the USWNT lift the trophy next month, it would be the first time in history that a team — men’s or women’s — has won three consecutive World Cup titles.

A crowd of 41,107 is attending the match at Eden Park today, tournament organizers just announced.

That’s pretty close to a sell-out.

Last month, ticket sales for the tournament overtook the previous edition held in France, making this likely to be the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history, according to governing body FIFA.

More than a million tickets had been sold by June.

And Americans from coast to coast have flocked to the tournament. Read more about them here.

Julie Ertz of the United States jumps for the ball.

The US is leading Vietnam 3-0 as we enter the closing stages of this Group E opener here in Auckland.

And the reigning champions looks comfortable in possession as they embark on the second defense of their World Cup title.

Captain Lindsay Horan, who earlier received a yellow card for a robust challenge, scored the US’ third to add to a Sophia Smith first-half double.

Lindsey Horan, left, celebrates with teammate Megan Rapinoe after scoring her team's third goal.

Captain Lindsey Horan scores to bring the US up 3-0 over Vietnam, prompting rousing chants of “U-S-A!” throughout the stadium.

Horan slotted in the net as Vietnam keeper Thi Thu Tran was out of position.

It’s Horan’s 28th goal for the national team.

Megan Rapinoe runs with the ball in the second half of the match between the United States and Vietnam.

Huge cheers erupt around Eden Park as a blue-haired Megan Rapinoe comes on as a substitute for the US.

She replaces Alex Morgan, who assisted on the team’s second goal.

Rapinoe is making her 200th appearance for the USWNT in Saturday’s game and will be hoping to mark the occasion with her 10th World Cup goal — only three of her compatriots have scored more in women’s World Cup history.

The 38-year-old announced earlier this month that she is to retire at the end of the 2023 NWSL season. Should she score at the World Cup, she would become the USWNT’s oldest ever goalscorer at the event, replacing Carli Lloyd.

The US leads 2-0.

Brynleigh Ritchie traveled to the game from Utah.

US fan BrynIeigh Ritchie, who traveled to Auckland from Utah, said this game has become a “core memory” for her after just the first half.

Thu Nguyen said she was really proud of Vietnam's goalie, who made some crucial saves in the first half

Vietnam fan Thu Nguyen said she hopes to see her team apply more pressure against the US in the second half.

Sophia Smith of the United States and Tran Thi Hai Linh of Vietnam compete for the ball.

Sophia Smith nearly grabbed her hat-trick within 10 seconds of the second-half kick off.

That was a close call for Vietnam.

The US still leads 2-0.

Lionel Messi reacts during the second half of the Leagues Cup 2023 match between Cruz Azul and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday.

With the sold-out home crowd cheering wildly, Lionel Messi made his Inter Miami debut Friday night in a Leagues Cup group match in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Wearing his iconic No. 10 jersey — in pink this time — Messi high-fived his teammates while he jogged on the pitch at DRV PNK Stadium while entering as a substitute in the 55th minute versus Mexican side Cruz Azul.

Notable names in the crowd including club co-owner David Beckham, NBA superstar LeBron James and Kim Kardashian showed their appreciation for the Argentine superstar.

Vietnam's goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran, right, celebrates with teammates after she saved a penalty kick from United States' Alex Morgan.

It’s been one-way traffic in the first half here at Eden Park as the US leads 2-0.

Sophia Smith is the US hero, scoring both of the goals in a half packed full of action.

And it could have been a lot more.

Vietnam’s goalkeeper Thi Kim Tranh Tran has made some crucial saves — including a penalty kick — as the US team lays onslaught to her net.

The reigning champion has dominated the play, raining shots down on Vietnam’s goal and piling on the pressure on its defense around the penalty box.

United States' Sophia Smith scores her side's first goal.

Sophia Smith has scored a second goal for Team USA after a nervy — and very long — VAR check.

After a scramble in the box, the ball bounced through Vietnamese goalkeeper Thi Kim Tranh Tran’s legs to bring the US up 2-0.

Vietnam's Tran Thi Kim Thanh saves a penalty kick from USA's Alex Morgan.

Alex Morgan’s spot kick is saved! What drama here at Eden Park!

After a long VAR check, the US has a penalty after Rodman fell in the box under a Vietnam defender’s challenge

Vietnam's Thi Tuyet Dung Nguyen fights for the ball with USA's Trinity Rodman.

The US is dominating the game at the midway point of the first half after taking the lead with a well-taken finish by forward Sophia Smith.

Smith, who is playing in her first World Cup match, scored off a great through-ball from veteran Alex Morgan.

The energy in the crowd is high following the goal, with dueling chants of “Vi-et-nam!” and “U-S-A!”

US fans have also been cheering “I believe that we will win!”

The US team has maintained most of the possession but Vietnam has had a few offensive plays.