WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Megan Rapinoe scored twice and the United States overcame early defensive shakiness to beat Australia 3-1 on Monday in their opening game at the Women's World Cup.
The result put the U.S. on top of Group D, in which the other game between Sweden and Nigeria ended 3-3. In Group C, Cameroon swept past Ecuador 6-0.
Christen Press also scored for the second-ranked U.S., which is seeking its third World Cuptitle and first since 1999.
Lisa De Vanna had equalized midway through the first half for Australia.
"We were a bit nervous," Rapinoe said. "Couldn't play a lot worse at times."
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 since April 11 with her club Portland.
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, has five wins and two draws from its opening games at World Cups and improved to a remarkable record of 23 wins, two draws and no losses against Australia.
In the absence of Morgan, 35-year-old Wambach and Canada-born Sydney Leroux started up top against the Matildas, while Hope Solo was in goal a day after an ESPN report revealed new details about her arrest a year ago on domestic violence charges.
The charges were dismissed by a judge earlier this year, but prosecutors told ESPN there is an appeal scheduled.
"That was a long time ago. We've moved on," coach Jill Ellis said. "She's been a fantastic player and teammate. None of that has even resonated with us, and I'm sure many of the players aren't aware of it."
Solo had work to do early. She was tested in the fifth minute, when she tipped Emily Van Egmond's shot off the crossbar and over. She made another save on Michelle Heyman in the 13th.
Rapinoe opened the scoring when her kick from the top of the penalty area deflected off an Australia player past goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
But De Vanna equalized when she slotted the ball inside the near post for her 36th goal in 100th international appearance appears
Press scored off a cross from Leroux in the 61st minute and Rapinoe's second sealed the result.
In the other Group D game, Francisca Ordega scored in the 87th minute to give Nigeria a point from a 3-3 draw with Sweden.
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.
Linda Sembrant came off the bench to put Sweden up 3-2 before Ordega's drive sailed between goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl's legs for the equalizer.
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.
Cameroon scored three goals in a nine-minute stretch late in the first half and routed Ecuador 6-0.
Gaelle Enganamouit had a hat trick for 53rd-ranked Cameroon, which converted three penalties. Enganamouit scored in the 36th and 73rd minutes, then got a penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete her hat trick.
Madeleine Ngono Mani put Les Lionnes ahead in the 34th minute, and captain Christine Manie's penalty made it 3-0 in the 44th. Aboudi Onguene also converted a penalty in the 79th,
Ecuador was a player down from the 66th minute after Ligia Moreira was sent off.
Cameroon plays defending champion Japan on Friday, and Ecuador meets Switzerland next.
