Borges struck twice in the first half before completing her hat-trick after break, while also supplying a stunning assist for Brazil’s third.

Panama, competing in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup, were no match for the Brazilians who dominated play from start to finish on Monday.

They were on the front foot as early as the first minute, when Bia Zaneratto slipped through Adriana who tried to poke it past the on-rushing Yenith Bailey but the Panama goalkeeper blocked the effort.

Brazil peppered Panama’s goal and on 18 minutes Debinha’s free kick from 25 metres whizzed just past the post.

The Selecao eventually broke the deadlock a minute later and Debinha was involved again, this time cutting inside from the left and delivering a cross to the far post. Borges slipped her marker and found herself unguarded to nod home from six yards.

Borges grabbed her brace in the 39th minute in similar fashion to her first. Adriana released Tamires on the left who drove to the byline and lifted a cross to the back post.

Borges’ header was saved by Bailey, but the rebound fell perfectly for the Brazilian midfielder to slam home from close range.

Brazil wasted no time following the interval and added a third three minutes after the restart with a stunning team effort and an early contender for goal of the tournament.

Tamires slipped through Debinha on the left who played a one-two inside the area with Adriana, who completed the return pass with a clever flick.

Debihna crossed to the penalty spot where Borges controlled and shaped to shoot, before teeing up Bia Zaneratto with a delightful backheel. With Panama keeper Bailey already committed, Bia Zaneratto fired into the back of the net.

Brazil scored their fourth in the 70th minute, as Borges completed her hat-trick after another incursion down the left.

Substitute Monica cut back and lobbed a cross to the penalty spot with her right foot where Borges ghosted through the area and headed through the legs of Bailey.

The game came after a New Zealand family purchased the tickets that took total ticket sales for the Women’s World Cup to 1.5 million.

Soccer’s world governing body says the tournament being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand is on track to be the best attended in the competition’s history.

FIFA said the 1,500,000th ticket went to Auckland woman Maria Strong, who bought tickets for her husband and three children to attend Italy’s Group G win over Argentina at Eden Park as part of a family celebration for her son’s 12th birthday.

In a statement, FIFA said the sales target had been surpassed within the first five days of the month-long tournament, setting the 2023 edition on course to surpass 2015 in Canada for the record attendance. More than 1.35 million people attended a 52-game tournament in Canada. The tournament has expanded to 32 teams this year.

The opening games set records for women’s soccer matches in both co-host countries. The crowd at New Zealand’s upset win over Norway last Thursday set a new mark of 42,137. Australia’s 1-0 over Ireland attracted 75,784 at Stadium Australia, which is also the venue for the final on August 20.

“We are seeing a surge in support for women’s football, not just in ticket sales, but also in broadcast viewership, fan festival participation and merchandise sales,” Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said.

Football Australia said the first 12 games had a combined attendance of 363,937  with the average of 30,326 per game surpassing the 21,756 for the first dozen at France 2019 and the historical Women’s World Cup average of 24,780.

The 1999 tournament in the United States holds the record for highest average match attendance, with a crowd average of 37,944 across 32 games.

-with AAP