The soccer gods were pretty cruel to New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore on Sunday.
The U.S. Women’s National soccer team took on New Zealand as part of the 2022 SheBelieves Cup in a critical match for both squads. New Zealand needed to rebound from a 1-0 loss to Iceland in the first match while the U.S. wanted to improve on its draw finish with the Czech Republic.
With one half in the books, the USWNT appears to be in cruise control on their way to victory, leading 3-0 so far. However, there’s something very cruelly ironic about the score in that all of the goals were scored, officially, by New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore. Each and every American score was an own-goal by the defender attempting to prevent the goals from occurring.
It was just four minutes into the match when the U.S. attacked the goal when Moore reached out with her leg to block a shot. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted off her leg and into her own goal to make it 1-0.
.@sophsssmith making things happen early for the opener!!! 🇺🇸#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/CpAvjdhqU1
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 20, 2022
Just a minute later, the U.S. was once again attacking the goal when a crossing pass came for Moore, who attempted to deflect it with her head. However, just as with the last one, her deflection fooled the goalie and went right into the New Zealand cage to make it 2-0.
.@schuerta + @100Purcent wreak havoc to double the lead! 🇺🇸#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/pR3mLaLzg4
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 20, 2022
Finally, with halftime approaching, Midge Purce drove towards the net to try and make something happen and extend the U.S. lead. She ended up doing that, passing the ball directly towards Moore, who yet again deflected the ball into her own net, making it 3-0 and leaving her emotionally ruined.
Soccer fans watching on social media were just devastated on Moore’s behalf due to the ongoing havoc.
Spare a thought for New Zealand & Liverpool defender Meikayla Moore.
The first half from hell against the #USA.#SheBelievesCup @FotMob pic.twitter.com/fJrf4Bqb46
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) February 20, 2022
Somebody just had the worst hat trick of all time against the USWNT pic.twitter.com/3yJAIl45bL
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) February 20, 2022
Have to feel for Meikayla Moore there. One of the worst halves of soccer she's ever going to have #USAvNZL #SheBelievesCup
— AllForXI (@AllForXI) February 20, 2022
Meikayla Moore has an unheard of three own goals against the USA. I hope New Zealand rallies around her, because she must be devastated right now. https://t.co/N0805XnXsn
— Mark Hachman (@markhachman) February 20, 2022
Can't quite believe this. New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore literally has a hat trick of own goals in the first half. 3-0 #USWNT, all OGs on Moore. Cruel stuff.
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) February 20, 2022
It’s truly a day to forget for Moore, who, it should be noted, is a heck of a player and currently signed with Liverpool.
[USWNT]
