FIFA Women's World Cup: Rapinoe has 2 goals in U.S. win

Megan Rapinoe scored twice and the United States overcame early defensive shakiness to beat Australia 3-1 Monday night in the Americans' opener at the Women's World Cup.

Christen Press also scored for the second-ranked U.S., which is seeking its third World Cup title and first since 1999.

Lisa De Vanna tied the score midway through the first half, beating controversial American goalkeeper Hope Solo.

U.S. star forward Alex Morgan, sidelined by a bone bruise in her left knee, entered in the 79th minute in her first game action with April 11 with her Portland club.

Rapinoe scored in the 12th minute for the Americans, Press put the U.S. ahead for good in the 61st, and Rapinoe added her 31st international goal in the 78th, the first two-goal game at the World Cup for the Americans since Abby Wambach against Norway in 2007. The U.S., which won the title in 1991 and '99, improved to 5-0-2 in World Cup openers.

Cameroon blanks Ecuador

Cameroon scored three goals in a nine-minute stretch late in the first half and routed Ecuador 6-0 Monday at Vancouver, British Columbia, in the Women's World Cup debuts for both nations.

Gaelle Enganamouit had a hat trick for 53rd-ranked Cameroon, which converted three penalty kicks. Enganamouit scored in the 36th and 73rd minutes, then got a penalty kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Madeleine Ngono Mani put Les Lionnes ahead in the 34th minute, and captain Christine Manie's penalty kick made it 3-0 in the 44th.

Aboudi Onguene converted a penalty kick in the 79th,

Ligia Moreira of 48th-ranked Ecuador was given a red card for a foul in the 66th minute. Cameroon plays defending champion Japan on Friday, and Ecuador meets Switzerland next.

Nigeria storms back against Sweden

Francisca Ordega's 87th-minute goal pulled Nigeria into a 3-3 tie with Sweden in a Women's World Cup match in Winnipeg on Monday.

Linda Sembrant came off the bench to put Sweden ahead 3-2 before Ordega's drive sailed between goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl's legs.

Nilla Fischer put Sweden up 2-0 in the first half with a goal in the 31st minute after Nigeria conceded an own goal. Nigeria evened it in the second half when Ngozi Okobi and Asisat Oshoala scored in a three-minute span for the Super Falcons.

It was the tournament opener for both teams, who are in Group D along with the United States and Australia. An expanded field of 24 teams is playing in the month-long World Cup. Fifth-ranked Sweden, under former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, faces her former team on Friday in one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.

Defending champs escape with win

Aya Miyama scored on a penalty kick in the 29th minute as defending Women's World Cup champion Japan opened with a 1-0 win over newcomer Switzerland in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Monday night.

Miyama's penalty, on a low shot to the left side of the goal, came after Swiss goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann was given a yellow card following a collision with Japan's Kozue Ando inside the box. Yuki Ogimi set up the run by Ando with a chip over the Switzerland defense.

Ramona Bachmann, who had several quality runs on goal in the second half for Switzerland, had an open shot in the box in the final minute of stoppage time — pushing the ball just over the goal.

Japan plays Cameroon on Friday, while Switzerland faces Ecuador.