Many neutral fans and FIFA Women's World Cup punters may have forecast an easy first-up assignment for 2007 finalists Brazil when they met tournament debutants Panama at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide Monday night.
They weren't wrong.
The Brazilians were rampant, often dissecting a helpless Panamanian defence which appeared to bizarrely attempt playing a high line against the world's 8th highest ranked nation, according to the current FIFA rankings.
Panama, whilst currently sat in 52nd in FIFA's rankings, just looked happy to be a part of the occasion, particularly when the anthems rang out across the Hindmarsh terraces prior to kick-off, which forced tears from some of their players.
Brazil barely worked up a sweat, cruising to a comprehensive four goal demolition of Panama, with Brazil's Swedish coach Pia Sundhage opting to rest legacy striker and the all-time FIFA Women's World Cup goal scorer Marta, who was only given a short cameo deep in the second half.
Beatriz Zaneratto João finished off the pick of the bunch for the Brazilians in the 48th minute with a classy strike some are already predicting will go down as the goal of the tournament.
Her colleague Ary Borges stole the majority of the headlines with her magnificent hattrick of goals, keeping the strong 13,000 crowd entertained across both halves.
Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Germany sunk Morocco 6-0, another of the tournament's eight debutant teams.
The African nation appeared to be in a position to spring a surprise on the two-time former title winners after their impressive haul in 2022, making it to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final.
However, the side nicknamed the Lionesses of Atlas were no match for Germany and will struggle to recover their campaign from here with a crushingly negative goal difference.
Argentina met Italy in yesterday's third match.
The football-rich South Americans appeared to struggle to keep out the Italians who had the ball in the net on two occasions early in the contest, however both goals were ruled offside.
The Italians left it late, with veteran striker Cristiana Girelli steering a looping header past the outstretched arms of Argentine keeper Vanina Correa.
Photo credit: Fepafut Panama official Facebook page
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