Saitama (Japan) (AFP)

The United States women's football team got back on track by crushing New Zealand 6-1 on Saturday in Saitama, three days after its inaugural rout against Sweden (3-0), during of the Tokyo Olympics.

The 2019 world champions and big favorites of the tournament had completely missed their debut against the Swedes, finalists of the Rio Olympics.

A defeat that had put an end to the invincibility of 44 matches of the Americans.

For this second group G meeting against the New Zealanders, Megan Rapinoe was aligned from the start and Alex Morgan started on the bench, the reverse of the first match.

The American goals were scored by Rose Lavelle (9th), Lindsay Horan (45th), Christen Press (80th) and Alex Morgan (87th), to which were added two goals against their camp of New Zealand Abby Erceg (63rd) ) and CJ Bott (90 + 3).

New Zealand had reduced the mark by Betsy Hassett (72nd)

# photo1

The score could even have been heavier, the Americans having had three goals refused for offside during this match refereed by Stéphanie Frappart.

In the other meeting of the group, Sweden chained another success by beating Australia 4-2 and retains the lead with six points ahead of the Americans and Australians (3 pts).

© 2021 AFP