United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe celebrates scoring against Australia with forward Abby Wambach (No 20) and Megan Klingenberg defender (No 22) and midfielder Carli Lloyd (No 10) in a Group D match of the Women’s World Cup at Winnipeg Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Reuters/Winnipeg, Manitoba

The United States brought the Women’s World Cup to life on Monday as they rose to the top of the ‘Group of Death’ with a 3-1 win over Australia in front of a raucous crowd.
A day after the Ivory Coast were humiliated 10-0 by Germany, Nigeria and Cameroon restored African pride while Japan opened the defence of their title in Vancouver with a 1-0 win over Switzerland courtesy of a 29th minute strike from Aya Miyama.
Cameroon, who were making their first World Cup appearance, looked right at home on soccer’s biggest stage as Gaelle Enganamouit score a hat-trick to lead the 53rd ranked Les Lionnes to a 6-0 victory over South American debutant Ecuador.
“We’re galvanized and ready to make Africa proud,” warned Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu.
Nigeria and Sweden, who have appeared in all seven women’s World Cups, experienced some first up jitters in Winnipeg with Francisca Ordega grabbing a late equaliser for the Africans to earn  a 3-3 draw in the so called ‘Group of Death’.
No nation will face a tougher road to the final than those in Group D, which features three teams ranked in the top 10, the US (2), Sweden (5), Australia (10) and the 33rd-ranked Nigerians, who are the top African nation.
The first appearance by the US created an electric atmosphere as fans flooded across the border, filling Winnipeg Stadium with a boisterous red, white and blue flag-waving crowd.
The American Outlaws, a US supporters group, turned the north grandstand into a swath of red, white and blue with chants of “USA, USA” echoing through the stadium from the moment the players appeared from the tunnel.
With US based in Winnipeg, American supporters have taken over the downtown area with groups filling restaurants and pubs bringing a lively buzz to the tournament that has been lacking in some of the other five venues.
“A couple of players, I heard them as they were taking the pitch for warm-ups say, ‘it’s like we’re playing at home’,” said US coach Jill Ellis.
“It was tremendous, they were behind us, the Outlaws were there and friends and family but there were fans, just fans of soccer it was great to have that kind of noise and support.”
The US did their part as they extended their unbeaten run over the Matildas to 25 games as Megan Rapinoe scored twice and keeper Hope Solo produced some dazzling early saves.
“A couple of bits of class in the end from Rapinoe changed the game,” said Stajcic.
“I thought we put in a good performance but it’s not enough. We need to regroup and improve for the next game. It’s still a long way to go.”
The victory set up an intriguing showdown with former coach Pia Sundhage’s Swedish side on Friday.
Sundhage had spent five years with the US team, leading them to two Olympic gold medals and a runner-up finish in the 2011 World Cup, before she returned to coach her native Sweden.
Given the goal sprees in the day’s three other games, it was a low-key opener by Asian champions Japan in Vancouver.
The winning penalty, awarded after Frankfurt midfielder Kozue Ando was fouled inside the box by Swiss goalie Gaelle Thalmann, was the only goal of the night at BC Place Stadium.
But it was enough to seal all three points for the “Nadeshiko”—Japan’s nickname and a pink flower symbolizing grace and beauty.
The tie marked the 200th cap for veteran Homare Sawa and the 150th for Miyama, who also scored her 37th international goal.
“I’m very happy that Sawa could celebrate her 200th game with a win,” said Miyama.
Coach Norio Sasaki however substituted Sawa in the second half with young teammate Yuri Kawamura.
“She (Sawa) wasn’t injured, but I’m using her in a more protected manner,” said Sasaki of the long-time player who had been hampered by injuries.
Young Swiss forward Ramona Bachmann was left to rue a string of missed chances which could have given her country a first win.
“She’s the saddest girl in the world tonight,” said coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Japan next play Cameroon, who are tied with them on top of Group C but ahead on goal difference, as Ecuador and Switzerland clash for their first points.