Move over Mia Hamm. Abby Wambach is now the greatest goal scorer in international soccer.
Wambach scored four times in the first half to break Hamm’s record for international career goals with room to spare in a 5-0 victory over South Korea last night,
The four goals gave the 33-year-old Wambach 160, two more than Hamm had in a storied career that ended in 2004.
Wambach connected three times in the first 29 minutes to break Hamm’s mark of 158 international goals, and she added another in injury time to give her a nice round number.
The historic 159th came on a line-drive header that ripped into the twine in the back of the net off a corner kick by Megan Rapinoe.
“I’m just so proud of her,” Hamm said. “Just watching those four goals, that’s what she is all about. She fights for the ball, she’s courageous and she never gives up.
“From being her teammate early in her career, I know all she ever wanted to do was win, and she continues to do that. I’m just glad I got to share 158 with her. It was short, but it was fun.”
After the record-setting goal, Wambach turned and ran a couple of steps in the direction of the U.S. bench, then stopped as Rapinoe jumped into her arms. The Rochester, N.Y., native was then mobbed by teammates on the field and those who streamed off the bench as the crowd of 18,961 at Red Bull Arena cheered wildly.