REIMS, France, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The United States kicked off their defending campaign strongly at the FIFA Women's World Cup, leading 3-0 against Thailand into the interval in a Group F match here on Tuesday.
Having dominated in terms of both ball possession and the result, Jill Ellis' side put so much pressure on their opponents, taking three shots on goal in the very first five minutes.
Alex Morgan, who turns 30 years old in less than a month, broke the deadlock with a 12-minute header, just six minutes after the Orlando Pride forward's earlier effort was ruled offside.
Receiving from Kelley O'Hara who bursted down the right wing, Morgan was just in place to nod home with ease near the post.
Eight minutes apart from the opening score, Washington Spirit's midfielder Rose Lavelle added the second with a long-range kick, before Lindsey Horan smashed home a Tobin Heath's free kick from close range in the 32nd minute.
Thailand's only attempt came in the 28th minute when Rattikan Thongsombut quickly recovered from an unsuccessful counter-attack, took the long-range shot herself, and forced Alyssa Naeher to make her first save of the match.
