Lapses in the early moments of both halves cost the Football Ferns dearly, going down 2-0 to defending champions USA in their opening game of the Rio Olympics.
The World No. 1 dominated the early physical exchanges at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte and scored at the start of each half through skipper Carli Lloyd and then Alex Morgan to get off to the perfect start to the tournament.
A defeat was expected as the 17th ranked Ferns had never beaten the USA in 11 previous outings and had only scored two goals.
The Tony Readings-coached squad must now beat 24th ranked Colombia and France, the world number three, to match the 2012 Football Ferns' feat of qualifying for the second stage at an Olympic tournament.
Despite boasting more than 100 caps between them, the Ferns lacked execution and discipline, conceding three yellow cards