Everybody expected the US Women’s National Team to win their debut World Cup match against Vietnam in the group stage of the competition.
It wasn’t a matter of whether they’d win — folks were more curious about how they’d do it. Or, rather, which players would see step up and earn the win for Team USA? After all, there are 14 players on the roster who are playing in their first World Cup.
RELATED: 5 teams who can actually beat the USWNT in the World Cup.
As it turned out, we got a pretty special performance from Sophia Smith. One that actually came with a little bit of history.
Smith had a hand — or foot, rather — in all 3 of the USWNT's goals
She scored her first goal here.
SOPHIA SMITH GETS THINGS STARTED FOR USWNT 🇺🇸🔥
HER FIRST-EVER WORLD CUP GOAL
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/eJsi61DSjD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2023
Then she snuck her second goal passed Vietnam’s keeper here.
SOPHIA SMITH FIRST HALF BRACE 🚨
(🎥 @FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/4GqakPyzdl
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) July 22, 2023
And then she dished off an assist to Lindsey Horan for the USWNT’s third goal of the match in the 77th minute.
🇺🇸 @sophsssmith ➡️ @LindseyHoran
It was only a matter of time for the @USWNT 💪 pic.twitter.com/0ReAezYggc
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
She was Player of the Match, obviously
The coolest part was that Smith’s dad was the one who gave her the Player of the Match trophy. It was such an incredible moment.
"Thanks, Dad." ❤️🏆@USWNT's @sophsssmith receives the Player of the Match trophy from her Dad 🤗 pic.twitter.com/czZ7R4XFwZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
And she made some history
At 22 years old, Smith became the youngest member of the USWNT to score multiple goals in a match in 20 years. The last person to do it was Cat Whitehill back in 2003, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
At 22 years old, Sophia Smith is the 2nd youngest USWNT player with multiple goals in a World Cup match.
Cat Whitehill was 21 when she scored twice against North Korea in 2003. pic.twitter.com/u7kX2oWfUn
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 22, 2023
Smith took the internet by storm
Fans were so impressed with the match Smith had. And you can’t blame them. She was deep in her bag for this one.
this doesn’t look like sophia smith https://t.co/bzOC3mOBbj
— whitney medworth (@its_whitney) July 22, 2023
I will die for Sophia Smith
— Megan Reyes (@megreyes_) July 22, 2023
Do any tactics really matter when Sophia Smith just says I’M HER
— Courtney Stith (@CourtneyStith) July 22, 2023
Absolutely loving everyone new hopping on the Sophia Smith train. Welcome it’s great here we have snacks and eco styler
— Diaspora United Pod (Crystal Dunn’s Lucky Charms) (@DiasporaUtdPod) July 22, 2023
SOPHIA SMITH AKA SCORING GOALS IS AN INEVITABLE FACET OF MY EXISTENCE LETS GOOOO
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) July 22, 2023
Sophia Smith is the best player in the worl right now!👋 #FIFAWomensWorldCup
— The Guru🕵️♂️ (@ajabbaruk) July 22, 2023
