The USA rolled back the years with a vintage Olympic USWNT performance in Nice tonight sweeping Zambia’s Copper Queens aside in convincing style running out 3-0 winners.

Emma Hayes’ USA squad arrived in France as the first USA squad to arrive at an Olympics that did not feature a previous gold medal winner since the inaugural women’s football Olympic squad at Atlanta 1996. If the US fans had any fears the USA might struggle to live up to their National team’s illustrious billing, they need not have worried. In an eight minute first half spell the USA scored three times to build what proved to be an unassailable lead.

USA: Alyssa Naeher; Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Crystal Dunn, Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, Sam Coffey

ZAM: Ngambo Musole; Lushomo Mweemba, Siamfuko Esther, Pauline Zulu, Kabange Mupopo, Grace Chanda, Barbra Banda, Martha Tembo, Prisca Chilufya, Hellen Chanda, Racheal Kundunanji

The USA got off to a fast start with Arsenal’s Emily Fox darting into the box and through the Zambian defence to reach the by line cutting the back the ball to Lindsay Horan who fired the ball just wide with just under two minutes on the clock.

Zambia bravely attempted to press the USA high up the pitch but the USA were able to plot a path through the Copper Queens time and time again with Sophia Smith ghosting into the box but firing directly at the goalkeeper moments after.

The USA rattled the crossbar twice in the first fifteen minutes of the match. It quickly became clear that the Copper Queens were on borrowed time, and so it proved as Trinity Rodman found the opening goal on her Olympic debut. The move started with a wonderful slice of skill down the left wing from Sophia Smith to keep the ball in play, before Smith slipped down the line playing the ball to the ever available Lindsay Horan her pass found the bubble gum pink haired Rodman, the Washington Spirit star set herself up with a back heel touch to wrong foot centre back Martha Tembo before calmly side footing the ball past Ngambo Musole in the Zambian goal.

Just a few minutes later a probing Lindsay Horan played a beautiful outside of the boot pass into the box finding Mallory Swanson who needed only a touch to steady herself before neatly finishing into the top corner. A mere sixty-six seconds later, Swanson had the ball in the net again after Zambia had surrendered possession in the midfield from kick off, Smith found Swanson who did the necessary, Swanson was at her clinical best.

The game was put beyond doubt not long after as 21 year old Zambia centre back Pauline Zulu was sent off for pushing her elbow across Sophia Smith as the American ran through on goal. The initial decision was a yellow card, but after consulting VAR, the Brazilian official dismissed Zulu.

Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle dictated proceedings throughout and created chances to extend their lead in the second half but were unable to. Hayes made a raft of changes which seemed to interrupt the side’s flow in front of goal.

Zambia played their part in the second half shut out. Zambia put in a dogged defensive display full of grit and determination as they played for fifty-five minutes with ten players on the pitch and resolutely held out despite their numerical disadvantage. The Copper Queens mustered some half chances of their own on the counter attack in the second half without every really looking like scoring.

The headline of this match was always likely to be about the first look at a new era of the USWNT, the era of Emma Hayes’ stewardship managing her side at a major tournament for the first time. This was a positive start for Hayes, her side picked up maximum points, were able to rest key player  in the second half and extended their nine game unbeaten run in all competitions. The injury to star striker Sophia Smith was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect night.