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Photos: USA Defeats Vietnam In First Matchup of FIFA Women's World Cup

See photos from the FIFA Women's World Cup. Team USA beats Vietnam 3-0 and Megan Rapinoe begins her farewell tour.

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Sophie Smith strikes the ball during the USA and Vietnam matchup of the FIFA Women's World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.
Sophie Smith strikes the ball during the USA and Vietnam matchup of the FIFA Women's World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. (Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

ACROSS AMERICA — Team USA kicked off the FIFA Women's World Cup competition in New Zealand by defeating Vietnam 3-0. The No. 1 seed was able to breeze by their opponents with ease.

Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan scored the game's three goals. Smith scored two goals and is an early front-runner for the Golden Boot award. The victory is an incredible start to the tournament for Team USA, which next takes on the Netherlands on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern time.

The win is bittersweet as this tournament marks the beginning of the end for Megan Rapinoe's athletic career. The 38-year-old American announced her retirement from soccer earlier this month.

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See photos from the first game Team USA played in the FIFA Women's World Cup down below.

Find out what's happening in Across Americawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sophia Smith (right) celebrates with Crystal Dunn after scoring her second goal, giving the United States a 2-0 lead during the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match against Vietnam in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, July 22, 2023. The U.S. won 3-0. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)
Alex Morgan (13) and Savannah DeMelo (9) celebrate a goal by U.S. teammate Sophia Smith. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
United States fans cheer before the start of the Women's World Cup. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)
Lindsey Horan of the U.S. drives down the field while commanding possession of the ball. (Ane Frosaker/SPP/Shutterstock)
Megan Rapinoe (15) takes a corner kick. (Ane Frosaker/SPP/Shutterstock)
Trinity Rodman of the U.S. team leaves the pitch after being injured during the Women's World Cup. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)
Fans of the United States pose before the game. (Xinhua/Shutterstock)
Lindsey Horan (10), Megan Rapinoe (15) and Sophia Smith celebrate after Horan scored the third goal for the United States. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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