The United States posted its biggest victory ever at the World Cup on Tuesday, opening the defense of its 2015 title with a 13-0 annihilation of overmatched Thailand in Reims, France.
It was the largest margin of victory ever at the World Cup, and the most goals scored in a single World Cup match. The Americans outshot Thailand, 39-2.
Alex Morgan scored five goals, tying a team record, and Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis each had two. Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd — two minutes into second-half injury time — completed the rout.
The result was as comprehensive as those totals sounded, and the margin of defeat — and perhaps the Americans’ fist-pumping celebrations as the goals mounted in the final 15 minutes — left several of the Thai players in tears after the match.
