Two Mallory Swanson goals vs Zambia in the 24th and 25th minute put the United States women’s national team out of reach as they cruised to a 3-0 victory in their opening game of the 2024 Olympics.
The USWNT’s first group stage game was played in Nice, France.
The USA came out swinging to begin their quest for gold, peppering Zambia’s goal with shots. Swanson and Trinity Rodman both rocked the crossbar with efforts early in the first half.
Rodman broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a lovely bit of skill to burn two defenders and slot home the game’s opening goal.
THE USWNT IS OFF AND RUNNING.
Trinity Rodman with a tidy turn and finish to open the scoring against Zambia! #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/yyorSnoMSD— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2024
Minutes later star forward Swanson made USWNT history with the fastest two goals by a U.S. player in a major tournament. The two goals looked nearly identical as Swanson dribbled past the goalkeeper and put the ball into an empty net.
Mallory Swanson goals vs Zambia
MALLORY SWANSON SCORED TWO GOALS IN BARELY A MINUTE.
USA Network & Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/Dnx2xioNTC— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2024
66 - Mallory Swanson's goals 66 seconds apart are the fastest two goals by a single player in a major tournament in #USWNT history (previous fastest: 2:19 by Carli Lloyd in the 2015 World Cup Final). Blink. pic.twitter.com/Ha1EVkJ7UQ
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 25, 2024
Any idea of a Zambia comeback was put to bed in the 34th minute when Pauline Zulu was sent off after a VAR review. Zulu brought down Sophia Smith outside the penalty area and was initially given a yellow card. After a review it was upgraded to red for the denial of a goal scoring opportunity.
¡Se le viene la noche a Zambia! ❌
Pierden por goleada y sufren ahora de una EXPULSIÓN ⚠️Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/TorU7vPhru
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/tkmGSb5MHN#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/wYmTxXvN0W— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 25, 2024
The USWNT lifted their foot off the gas in the second half as they hardly took advantage of being up a player. Their play in the final third wasn’t nearly as clinical as it was in the first half.
Zambia’s counter attacks were few and far between and hardly troubled USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher who had little work to do in goal.
One concern for the USA was an injury to Smith who had to leave the game in the first half with an ankle issue. Fans will be hoping her removal was out of precaution as the USWNT already had a 3-0 lead.
The result ties the USWNT with Germany for the top of Group B as the European giants defeated Australia 3-0 earlier on Thursday.
Up next for the USWNT will be Germany on Sunday in a battle for top of the group.
The top two teams will advance from the group along with the two best third-place teams across the three groups.
