North Korea Blames Lightning Strike for Loss to US

The USA women's soccer team started the World Cup with a 2-0 victory today thanks to goals by Lauren Cheney and Rachel Buehler and, er, a lightning strike on June 8. Or so says the North Korean coach, who claims five of his players were hospitalized earlier this month when lightning struck during a match in Pyongyang, reports the Guardian. All the players are still feeling the effects, he says, and probably shouldn't even be at the tournament.

"It's the first we have heard about it," said surprised USA striker Abby Wambach. The US women next play Saturday, against Colombia. Bleacher Report, meanwhile, celebrates the start of the World Cup with a video celebration of its five favorite solo goals ever. Click here to watch. (More World Cup stories.)