VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Abby Wambach scored late in the first half and the U.S. women's national team went on to beat Nigeria 1-0 on Tuesday night for a first-place finish in its group at the Women's World Cup.

It was Wambach's 14th World Cup goal, pulling her even with Birgit Prinz for second on the all-time list behind Brazil's Marta, who has 15.

Wambach, who came off the bench for the United States in the team's last match against Sweden, started up top with Alex Morgan, who was making her first World Cup start in Canada after working her way back from a bone bruise in her left knee.

The United States, ranked second in the world behind Germany, has two World Cup titles, but hasn't won since 1999.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Forward Alex Morgan was in the starting lineup for the United States' match Tuesday against Nigeria at the Women's World Cup.

The speedy 25-year-old had come in as a substitute in the team's first two matches while working her way back from a bone bruise in her left knee.

Morgan, who has 51 goals in 84 international appearances, had not started in a match since April 11 for the Portland Thorn's National Women's Soccer League season opener. Her last start for the United States came in a 4-0 victory over New Zealand in St. Louis, Missouri.

Morgan missed the national team's three send-off matches in the United States.

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