Hosts France opened the 2019 Women’s World Cup with a brilliant victory over South Korea in front of an overjoyed, sold-out crowd in Paris, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands.

Corinne Diacre’s side, among the favourites to win the eighth edition of this competition, produced a breathless performance to take a deserved 3-0 lead at half-time thanks to forward Eugenie Le Sommer’s early opener and two headers from towering defender Wendie Renard.

Midfielder Amandine Henry curled in an excellent fourth goal late on, much to the delight of the 45,261 fans inside the Parc des Princes.

England and Scotland will meet on Sunday in Nice as they get their campaigns under way, with a total of 24 teams taking part hoping to reach the final in Lyon on 7 July.

Defending champions the United States will get their campaign under way against Thailand on Tuesday, with England and two-time winners Germany among the other teams being strongly tipped for success.

Six groups of four teams will compete for the 16 places in the knockout phase, with the top two teams in each group qualifying automatically, as well as the four best third-placed sides.