The United States began their trophy defence in scintillating style with 13-0 Women’s World Cup thrashing of Thailand in a ruthless demonstration of strength to potential quarter-final opponents and hosts France, who return to action on Wednesday against Norway.

Three-time champions USA scored 10 goals in the second half in Reims on Tuesday as they eclipsed Germany's 11-0 win over Argentina in 2007 and shattered their own previous tournament best of 7-0.

Alex Morgan starred with five goals, Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis netted twice each and Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd also got on the scoresheet in an embarrassingly one-sided Group F encounter watched by more than 18,000.

The Americans hit back after at suggestions they could have eased up and saved 34th-ranked Thailand from complete humiliation.

“This is a world championship so every team that is here has been fantastic to get to this point. To be respectful to opponents is to play hard against opponents,” said USA coach Jill Ellis.

‘We'll take it'

Morgan, who now has 106 goals for her country, matched a record set by her compatriot Michelle Akers by scoring five times in a World Cup game.

“We always want to have any world record and anything we can get over the Germans, we'll take it,” joked Rapinoe.

If USA top the group, they could be on a collision course to play Corinne Diacre's France in the quarter-finals in Paris.

The hosts cruised to a 4-0 win over South Korea in their first outing last Friday and are hoping to build on that when they take on Norway in Nice in Group A on Wednesday evening.

Norway’s Scandinavian neighbours Sweden kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Chile in Rennes on Tuesday, but only after a hold-up because of a violent storm.

Sweden face Thailand next in Group F, while Chile tackle the USA in Paris on Sunday.

European champions the Netherlands beat New Zealand 1-0 in Le Havre in Group E thanks to a Jill Roord goal in stoppage time.