It was an overnight high-scoring affair at the Women’s World Cup as Germany and Brazil climbed to the top of their group tables with dominating wins. A total of 10 goals were scored between the winning teams as they held their opponents scoreless.
It was a tougher task for Italy and Argentina in their game, but Italy’s veteran captain powered one late for the winning score.
Ary Borges scored a hat trick on her World Cup debut, becoming the first Brazilian player to do so. His first two goals gave Brazil a 2-0 lead that looked more than secure and a third came late in the game. Brazil are the only nation to have won all eight opening matches at the World Cup and added a ninth with the 4-0 win over debuting Panama.
It was only a matter of time before Brazil opened up against an overmatched Panamanian team.
He took a shot on goal in the first minute and proceeded to spice up the shots, including a slightly high header from Debinha. In the 18th minute her free-kick went too far left, but when Brazil regained possession she had room to dart down the left side and cross one for Borges at the far post. Borges took his time behind the defense to lead it, sending Brazil top of the table one game into the tournament.
It was her first World Cup goal and she collapsed with her face in her hands on the floor for a short moment of relief. Borges added a second in the 39th minute, catching a rebound off his own head. Tamires made the cross.
Borges gave up the chance for a hat-trick two minutes into the second when she again took in a cross from Debinha. Instead of a shot, she pushed it back towards Bia Zaneratto, who scored with a shot high up the net.
She scored her hat trick 20 minutes later on another header passed between the legs of Panamanian goalkeeper Yenith Bailey.
Marta replaced Borges in the 75th minute. This is Marta’s sixth World Cup and she has scored in every one since 2003, when she was 17. His 17 goals are the most World Cup goals by either a man or a woman.
Brazil take the lead in Group F with three points and will next face France. Panama will face Jamaica. France, one of the favorites to win the title behind the United States, and Jamaica tied by one point each.
Germany captain and veteran star Alexandra Popp scored a brace to lead the victory against Morocco, who became the first North African and Arab-majority nation to contest a Women’s World Cup.
Popp scored the opening goal from the center in the 11th minute and added a second in the 39th minute. This opened up the finishing opportunities for Germany. Klara Buehl added a goal 23 seconds from halftime and Germany scored a fourth goal in the 54th minute. Morocco couldn’t clear a corner and the ball eventually slipped past Hanane Ait El Haj for an own goal.
A similar problem happened in the 79th minute on an own goal from a Sara Dabritz corner, and Lea Schueller scored in the 90th minute when Lena Lattwein’s shot returned into play on the keeper.
The six goals are the most of the tournament so far. Colombia and South Korea will face off in Group H as the final teams to open their tournament schedule.
Germany, ranked No. 2 in the world behind the United States, won back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and are looking to build on a quarter-final appearance in 2019. The Germans next face Columbia.
Morocco appeared to score as they trailed 3-0, but it was ruled offside. He had five attempts on goal and three on target. The World Cup debutants will next face South Korea.
Italy 1, Argentina 0
Cristiana Girelli headed the winning goal in the 87th minute, becoming Italy’s heroine in a tight and difficult game.
The veteran came on in the 83rd minute and finished a cross with a bounding header to give Italy the winning goal. Afterwards, she compared it to her hat trick against Jamaica in 2019.
“I think today is on top,” she said. “The treble was very special, of course, but it’s an even better feeling. It was more important. We needed it. I’m very, very happy.”
Girelli, 33, is the oldest player in the squad, which started 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni. The teenager is the youngest player to represent Italy and the second youngest in Europe, according to FIFA.
Italy and Argentina were nearly deadlocked in terms of attempts on target and on target.
Italy were quarter-finalists in 2019 and tied with Sweden at the top of Group G with three points apiece.