Consider Friday’s opening game your answer as to whether the hosts are feeling this World Cup. Three goals in the first 45 minutes, with some low-grade controversy keeping a fourth, rejected by VAR, from staying on the board. There may have no better way for France to say “we’re ready for our” admittedly long-awaited “major-tournament breakthrough” than Eugénie Le Sommer putting Les Bleues up within 10 minutes, then Wendie Renard towering over a brace at intermission.
There was a message for Thorns fans even before this year’s tournament kicked off, though – in the moments before the first whistle, as banners were being exchanged and hands shaken between captains and officials.