Women's World Cup 2023: Day Five round-up as Germany send out warning in 6-0 thrashing

Alexandra Popp starred as Germany sent out a statement of intent at the Women’s World Cup with the two-time champions kickstarting their campaign with a 6-0 win over Morocco.

Team captain Popp twice headed home in the first half to put her side - one of the tournament favourites - in a commanding position at half-time, with two own goals and further strikes from Klara Buhl and Lea Schuller in the second half firing a significant warning shot to Germany’s main challengers.

And their display was followed up by a convincing win for perennial contenders Brazil, who started their quest for a first World Cup title with a 4-0 triumph over Panama.

Ary Borges marked her tournament debut with a hat-trick in a stunning solo display, with Beatriz Zaneratto also finding the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Italy left it late to seal a 1-0 win over Argentina in Group G action, with super sub Cristiana Girelli heading home with just three minutes left on the clock.

Germany 6-0 Morocco: Six of the best for DFB-Frauen

Several key protagonists at this Women’s World Cup had looked unconvincing in their opening round matches but Germany - champions in 2003 and 2007 - rarely broke sweat in an emphatic performance.

Wolfsburg star Popp opened the scoring for the Euro 2022 runners-up just ten minutes into the contest, nodding home into an empty net after goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi failed to clear a cross, and with just five minutes of the half left the 32-year-old struck again, her low header from a corner unable to be kept out by Er-Rmichi.

World Cup debutantes Morocco did threaten at times, though a disastrous start to the second half ended any chances of an incredible comeback from the Atlas Lionesses.

Buhl needed less than a minute to make