Denmark edge China, US trounce Vietnam, Japan crush Zambia

China kicked off its 2023 Women's World Cup campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Denmark in Group D here on Saturday while the U.S. humiliated Vietnam 3-0 in Group E, reported Xinhua.

The clash between China and Denmark was fairly an even game as both sides created a couple of chances.

Josefine Hasbo from Denmark should have done better in the 51st minute as her header went over the bar when facing an empty net before China's Wang Shanshan risked an own goal.

The sole goal came in the 90th minute as Amalie Vangsgaard jumped to meet a corner for a looping header.

China poured forward in the dying minutes but failed to turn around the game.

In another fixture in Group D, England beat Haiti 1-0 as Georgia Stanway accurately dispatched the retaken penalty to the bottom corner, securing the Europe champion the opening victory.

Elsewhere, reigning champion the United States got its title defense underway at Eden Park as it dominated debutant Vietnam 3-0 in a Group E match.

Despite Alex Morgan's saved penalty, a pair of strikes from Sophia Smith still put the U.S. firmly in charge at the half break, Lindsey Horan sealed the win in the 77th minute on Smith's assist.

Meanwhile, Japan established the largest margin since the start of the 2023 Women's World Cup, defeating World Cup newcomers Zambia 5-0 in Group C Saturday.

Japan secured a 1-0 lead in the first half through Miyazawa Hinata. The 2011 World Cup champions wreaked havoc after the break, with Tanaka Mina, Miyazawa and Endo Jun finding the net within a 16-minute period, before Ueki Riko added the finishing touch.