USA, Japan off to winning starts on thrilling day at Women’s World Cup

Late drama, a red card and a total of 17 goals in four matches ensured that day three of the 2015 Women's World Cup lived up to its billing as Groups C and D got underway.

USA 3-1 Australia

The 2011 tournament finalists - USA and Japan - both got their campaigns underway in the early hours of this morning with the pair notching up wins in their respective groups.

Jill Ellis’ USA side took on Group D rivals Australia, in what was the most anticipated game of the tournament so far.

Despite struggling for much of the game, women’s football heavyweights USA eventually ran out 3-1 winners, but they didn’t do it the easy way.

Superior fitness turned out to be the difference as Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe netted twice in the last half an hour to cancel out Lisa de Vanna’s 27th minute equaliser for Australia.

That had come after Rapinoe opened the scoring for the US after 12 minutes but Australia wouldn’t lie down easily, matching the two-time winners for most of the game.

Sweden 3-3 Nigeria

The early kick-off in Group D saw a six-goal thriller as Sweden were pegged back twice by Nigeria, eventually settling for a point each.

An early Nigeria own goal from Desire Oparanozie, followed by Nilla Fischer’s close-range after 31 minutes, looked to be enough to see the Swedes run out easy victors.

But Nigeria didn’t give in, proving that they’re good enough to compete with the big teams on this stage.

Early second half goals from Ngozi Okobi and Asisat Oshoala in the space of just three minutes saw the Super Falcons draw level.

Pia Sundhage’s Sweden side did not panic however and went ahead again just seven minutes later when Linda Sembrant finished off a fine team move.

But the drama didn’t end there. Nigeria’s fast attacking style, which has gained many plaudits, showed no signs of abetting as Okobi split the Swedish defence with a superb pass to Francisca Ordega, who slid her shot through Hedvig Lindahl’s legs.

Cameroon 6-0 Ecuador

The African contingent at this year’s World Cup had a major point to prove after Ivory Coasts 10-0 humiliation at the hands of Germany on Monday and Cameroon answered back in perfect fashion.

Gaelle Enganamouit stole the show with a superb display for Cameroon, scoring a hat trick on her birthday and contributing to the other three goals as well.

Three of the African side’s goals came from the penalty spot as poor discipline from Ecuador proved their undoing.

That poor discipline was compounded when Ligia Moreira was shown red just after the hour mark.

Japan 1-0 Switzerland

Things weren’t quite as easy for defending champions Japan at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

In Switzerland’s debut World Cup match and it being against the defending champions most hadn’t given the European side a hope.

But the Japanese continually squandered chances and only a 29th minute penalty from Aya Miyama was enough to give them the three points.