The U.S. women's national team is in a position to win a record third straight World Cup because every player who steps on the field is expected to meet the high standards of their predecessors.

Sophia Smith is the latest example of a potential legend in the making, following in the footsteps of players such as Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and current teammate Alex Morgan.

You know it's got to be something special when you record a hat trick at the World Cup but the lasting memory of your performance is an audacious assist.

That was the case for 23-year-old Brazil forward Ary Borges, who grabbed three goals in her first appearance at the World Cup during the Seleção's 4-0 clattering of Panama. 

Borges, who plays for Racing Louisville in the NWSL, had Brazil up 2-0 before halftime with a brace. Then, three minutes into the second half, she created Bia Zaneratto's third for Brazil with an unselfish heel flick.

MELBOURNE - Talismanic captain Alexandra Popp scored a brace as Germany launched their bid for a third Women's World Cup title with a 6-0 demolition of debutants Morocco on Monday.

In the tournament's most one-sided match to date, veteran striker Popp led from the front, heading in two first-half strikes before Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller and two own goals blew out the score after the break in front of 27,256 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

SYDNEY - France's hopes of a winning start to their Women's World Cup campaign were thwarted by a hardworking Jamaican side in a 0-0 draw in the opening Group F clash at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.

The fifth-ranked French, semifinalists at last year's Euros, were unable to get their game going as the Jamaicans hassled and harried them throughout the 90 minutes to earn their first World Cup point after three losses on their 2019 debut.

DUNEDIN - The Netherlands kicked off their Group E campaign with a 1-0 win over Women's World Cup debutants Portugal at Dunedin Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a first-half goal from Stefanie van der Gragt that was awarded on a VAR review.

The Dutch edged Portugal 3-2 a year ago in the European Championship group stage, but this time the Iberian side were no match for the team in their trademark orange and did not have a shot on target until the 82nd minute.

BRISBANE — England coach Sarina Wiegman says her squad are missing the ruthlessness needed to score goals, a troubling tendency that reared its ugly head in a 1-0 victory over minnows Haiti at the Women's World Cup on Saturday.

Georgia Stanway's penalty kick was the game's only goal, stretching the Lionesses' lack of a goal from open play to more than three games.

SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM FOR ENGLAND!

PERTH — Substitute Amalie Vangsgaard headed home a goal in the 90th minute to give Denmark a winning start to their first Women's World Cup campaign since 2007 with a 1-0 victory against China at Perth Oval on Saturday.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who was brought on five minutes earlier, found the back of the net with a long-range header from a Pernille Harder corner to break the deadlock.

Denmark goal vs China Women's World Cup

LATE DRAMA

Sophia Smith scored two and assisted one for the United States women’s national team during the 3-0 victory against Vietnam in their Women’s World Cup opener. An Alex Morgan assist vs Vietnam was one of the big highlights as she cleverly set up Smith for the opening goal.

Despite the victory, USWNT fans won’t be too pleased with the performance. The Americans were far too sloppy in the final third of the field and didn’t look to be on the same page for most of the 90 minutes.