Morgan scores five as U.S. beat Thailand with record 13-0 win

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Alex Morgan of the U.S. celebrates scoring their twelfth goal with Megan Rapinoe REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

REIMS, France (Reuters) - Striker Alex Morgan scored five times as holders the United States began their World Cup campaign with a record 13-0 win over Thailand on Tuesday.

The Group F result was the largest margin of victory in either the men's or women's World Cup.

When the Americans headed for the interval 3-0 up, there was little indication of what was to come in the second half.

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Samantha Mewis of the U.S. celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Megan Rapinoe REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

After netting four times in six minutes shortly after the restart, they then added six more goals in the last 16 minutes.

Morgan opened the goal spree for the title favourites, who are in pursuit of a fourth world crown, with a header in the 12th minute and from then on there was no stopping the champions.

Eight minutes later Rose Lavelle found the net with a left-footed shot while midfielder Lindsey Horan gave them a 3-0 halftime lead.

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Alex Morgan of the U.S. scores their fifth goal REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Samantha Mewis opened the floodgates five minutes after the break as the U.S. made life miserable for the Thais by regularly finding the back of the net.

In total seven Americans scored during the match - Morgan (5), Lavelle (2), Mewis (2), Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd all finding their way on to the scoresheet in a performance that is bound to strike fear into all of those teams hoping to end the United States' reign as world champions.

"We really wanted to showcase ourselves and what we've been preparing for and working on and I think we did that," said Morgan.

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Alex Morgan of the U.S. celebrates scoring their twelfth goal with Megan Rapinoe and team mates REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

"Every goal matters in this tournament and so that's what we were working on in this game. We got a lot of attacks and I think we were really clinical in the number of attacks that we did get.

"I am speechless. The ball just bounced my way today and I am looking forward to the next game.

"To see Rose Lavalle have the confidence to go at players, Sam Mewis taking on players and scoring from outside the box... I am really proud of them."

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Lindsey Horan of the U.S. celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

The result surpassed Germany's 11-0 win over Argentina in 2007 and almost doubled the U.S. own previous record - a 7-0 success over Taiwan in 1991.

"We did not do enough. They were excellent all around. We don't have any excuse and accept they are better," said Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian.

"We have to improve in every aspect."

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. celebrates scoring their ninth goal REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

The last time the two teams met, the United States won 9-0.

U.S. coach Jillian Ellis said the result was great confidence booster but did not want to get carried away with the emphatic nature of the win.

"This only game one. It will be an incredibly hard World Cup," she said.

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. in action with Thailand's Warunee Phetwiset REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

The U.S. will next face Chile on Sunday, while Thailand will be up against Sweden.

(Reporting by Matthias Blamont, additional reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Rose Lavelle of the U.S. before scoring their second goal REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Alex Morgan of the U.S. in action with Thailand's Warunee Phetwiset REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Mallory Pugh of the U.S. scores their eleventh goal REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Thailand's Natthakarn Chinwong with Sukanya Chor Charoenying after the match REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group F - United States v Thailand - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 11, 2019 Alex Morgan of the U.S. with Thailand's Sukanya Chor Charoenying after the match REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Jun 11, 2019; Reims, FRANCE; Thailand goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying (18) makes a save as United States forward Tobin Heath (17) looks on during the first half in group stage play during the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 at Stade Auguste-Delaune. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 11, 2019; Reims, FRANCE; United States midfielder Lindsey Horan (9) goes for the ball between Thailand goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying (18) , midfielder Rattikan Thongsombut (12) and forward Suchawadee Nildhamrong (8) during the second half in group stage play during the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 at Stade Auguste-Delaune. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports