A Mel Barcenas masterclass powered the United States to the decisive victory at the Estadio Cibao FC.

Barcenas ran the show, using her clever feet and quick movement to unbalance the Korea Republic defence. She finished the night with two goals, one of which entered the history books, and an assist on Kennedy Fuller’s strike. Fuller was superb as well, providing constant calm and control in the midfield.

USA were in dreamland from the very beginning, as Barcenas pounced on a defensive error and curled a left-footed shot into the top-left corner.

It was the third-fastest goal in U-17 Women’s World Cup history. Barcenas was then back at it, this time in the role of playmaker, as she slid a pass into Fuller, who doubled the lead.

Barcenas then capitalised on a defensive mistake to get her second, before Mary Long and Maddie Padelski completed the emphatic win.