Alex Morgan in the World Cup: goals, assists, participations, awards, best team finish...

Alex Morgan, the prolific American forward, has left an indelible mark on the world of women’s soccer. From her early days in the game to her shining moments in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morgan’s journey has been one of determination, perseverance, and undeniable ability. A couple of years ago she became a proud mother, something that provided a fresh impetus to make history with her US teammates as they head into the latest global edition in Australia and New Zealand.

Morgan ready for final USWNT push

As the anticipation builds ahead of the first game for the double reigning champions, it feels right to reflect on Morgan’s astounding performances in past tournaments. The stage was set for her to make a splash during the 2011 tournament held in Germany, marking her first World Cup appearance. At just 22 years old, she was the youngest in the team, and scored to make it 3-1 against France in the semi-final.

In the final against Japan she scored the opener late on, after coming off the bench in the second half, then assisted Abby Wambach in extra-time. It wasn’t to be enough for glory, Japan winning on penalties, but she was now a player with the world at her feet. The 2012 Olympics triumph was a sign of things to come.

A knee injury almost prevented her involvement in the 2015 World Cup in Canada as Morgan cemented her status as one of the world’s top stars. She helped the USWNT to a historic triumph, culminating in a 5-2 win over Japan and she got to lift the coveted trophy.

Morgan notched up her 100th international goal ahead of the 2019 edition, which set her up nicely for five individual goals in the opening group game against Thailand, which ended 13-0 showing the gulf in class. No player has scored more in a single game. A birthday strike against England on 2 July helped her team into another final and there a 2-0 win over the Netherlands secured the title. She actually finished level on goals (six) and assists (three) as Golden Boot winner Megan Rapinoe, losing out on the award due to minutes played.

Graphic provided by our friends at Sofascore.

Morgan: soccer and beyond

Beyond her prowess on the field, Morgan’s impact reaches beyond the field of play. Her affable personality and infectious charisma have made her a beloved figure among fans, inspiring aspiring athletes worldwide. She has used her platform to advocate for gender equality in sports and has been an outspoken voice for equal pay for women in soccer, a cause she passionately championed alongside her USWNT teammates.