Updated Jul 24, 2021 - Sports

U.S. women's soccer team beats New Zealand

USA's forward Christen Press (R) celebrates her goal with teammates during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Christen Press celebrates her goal with teammates during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Stadium in Saitama. Photo: Ayaka Naito / AFP

The U.S. women's national soccer team beat New Zealand on Saturday in a must-win game for their second appearance of the Tokyo Olympics.

The big picture: Following a stunning defeat to Sweden in the first match of the Olympics, the U.S. team rebounded Saturday, easing past New Zealand with a final score of 6-1 and dominating possession — a 180-degree turnaround from the U.S. team's first performance in the tournament.

Driving the news: Rose Lavelle started the scoring, finishing off of a pass from Tobin Heath in the ninth minute.

  • Lindsey Horan also scored in the first half off of a header.
  • The scoring continued in the second half, with an own-goal by a New Zealand player, a finish from Christen Press and another from Alex Morgan. One final own-goal finished the game in stoppage time.

What's next: The U.S. team plays Australia on Tuesday in the final round of the group stage, providing a chance to gain momentum ahead of the knockout rounds.

View from inside the stadium from Axios' Ina Fried:
Image of the U.S. game vs. New Zealand
Photo: Ina Fried
Image of the U.S. game vs. New Zealand
Photo: Ina Fried
Image of the U.S. game vs. New Zealand
Photo: Ina Fried

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