Germany's Sasic scores earliest hat trick in Women's World Cup history during destruction of Ivory Coast
This is your daily reminder that Germany, and striker Celia Sasic, are frighteningly good, and there are only a few teams in the world that can compete, legitimately, with them.
Growth, in any sport, takes time. Development into a world power that can go toe-to-toe with the Germans requires patience - and investment over a long period of time.
Some teams are already there.
Unfortunately for the Ivory Coast - the lowest ranked side at the 2015 Women's World Cup - they are not among that group. The gulf is evident, and Sasic took full advantage.
The 26-year-old, who has been lighting up the Frauen-Bundesliga for the past two seasons, entered the record books in Sunday's contest against the African side, scoring the earliest hat trick in Women's World Cup history.
Celia Sasic gets her hat trick in the 31st minute. It's the earliest-ever Women's World Cup hat trick. #GER.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 7, 2015
Previous earliest Women's World Cup hat tricks were in the 33rd minute by both Carin Jennings and Michelle Akers in 1991.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 7, 2015
Sasic was replaced to begin the second half, ensuring we will not see her get the opportunity to set the single-game mark for goals in a World Cup match.
4-0 #GER. 30 minute hat-trick for Celia Sasic who joins long list of #FIFAWWC players to score 3 in a game. #GERCIV pic.twitter.com/fCxOCVX5RA
— FIFA Women'sWorldCup (@FIFAWWC) June 7, 2015