US women criticized for celebrations in blowout
The goals were one thing, the celebrations another.
The U.S. women’s national team faced criticism following its record-breaking 13-0 rout of Thailand on Tuesday night. The win set a World Cup record for goals and margin of victory. Alex Morgan alone had five goals, matching the most in one game in tournament history.
But there were questions about whether the Americans should have celebrated goals once the game was well in hand. Were the three-time World Cup champions being unsportsmanlike, or merely sending a message to the rest of the field?
Morgan was asked afterward about the display of hugs, high-fives, and posturing for the many American fans at Stade Auguste-delaune in Reims, France.
“I think in the moment, every time we score a goal in a World Cup — you’ve dreamt of it. I dreamt of it since I was a little girl,” she said. “You know, winning a World Cup and being back there for the third time, we want that fourth star. So tonight we knew that any goal could matter in this group-stage game. And when it comes to celebrations, I think this was a really good team performance and I think it was important for us to celebrate together.”
Those celebrations drew ire on social media, some of it directed at veteran Megan Rapinoe for twirling and turf-sliding after her goal — which made it 9-0. A World Cup-record seven U.S. players scored in the game.
Morgan was rebuked for holding up four fingers after her fourth goal, which made it 10-0.
Julie Foudy, a former U.S. player and current ESPN reporter, offered similar sentiments.
“The thing that I didn’t love is that at 13 goals they are dancing on the sidelines and celebrating that much,” Foudy said. “It’s like temper down, settle down a little bit, you’re at 13.”
At the World Cup, goal differential becomes important in deciding tie-breakers for the knockout stage. The U.S. team is in a group with nemesis Sweden, as well as Thailand and Chile.
It was understood that the top-ranked Americans would likely trounce Thailand, ranked 34th in the world, and possibly No. 39 Chile, which is making its World Cup debut. The U.S. game against Chile is set for Sunday in Paris.
France 2, Norway 1
France recovered from an own goal to beat Norway in Nice.
Eugenie Le Sommer scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after video review determined Ingrid Syrstad Engen had fouled Marion Torrent in the area.
Valerie Gauvin broke the deadlock after halftime but Norway tied when Wendie Renard turned a cross into her own net.
Germany 1, Spain 0
Germany relied on Sara Dabritz’s goal in the 42nd minute for the win in Valenciennes.
Germany took the lead against the run of play. Sandra Panos had just saved Alexandra Popp’s header but she couldn’t keep hold of it and Däbritz pounced to bundle the loose ball into the net.
Nigeria 2, South Korea 0
Asisat Oshoala became the second Nigerian player to score in two different Women’s World Cup tournaments with a late goal in a victory in Grenoble.
Chidinma Okeke chipped the ball past the South Korean defense in the 75th minute and Oshoala chased it down, slipped past Hwang Bo-ram and drew the keeper off her line before sliding it into an open goal from a tight angle.
Nigeria took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute when South Korea’s Kim Do-yeon volleyed the ball into her own net.