Americans bring Women’s World Cup to life

United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates scoring against Australia with forward Abby Wambach (20) and Megan Klingenberg defender (22) and midfielder Carli Lloyd (10) in a Group D soccer match in the 2015 women's World Cup at Winnipeg Stadium 

The United States brought the Women’s World Cup to life on Monday as they rose to the top of the ‘Group of Death’ with a 3-1 win over Australia in front of a raucous crowd.

A day after the Ivory Coast were humiliated 10-0 by Germany, Nigeria and Cameroon restored African pride while Japan opened the defence of their title in Vancouver with a 1-0 win over Switzerland courtesy of a 29th minute strike from Aya Miyama. Cameroon, who were making their first World Cup appearance, looked right at home on soccer’s biggest stage as Gaelle Enganamouit score a hat-trick to lead the 53rd ranked Les Lionnes to a 6-0 victory over South American debutant Ecuador.

Nigeria and Sweden, who have appeared in all seven women’s World Cups, experienced some first up jitters in Winnipeg with Francisca Ordega grabbing a late equaliser for the Africans to earn a 3-3 draw in the so called ‘Group of Death’.

No nation will face a tougher road to the final than those in Group D, which features three teams ranked in the top 10, the US (2), Sweden (5), Australia (10) and the 33rd-ranked Nigerians, who are the top African nation.

The first appearance by the U.S. created an electric atmosphere as fans flooded across the border, filling Winnipeg Stadium with a boisterous red, white and blue flag-waving crowd.