Ghana were hammered 4-0 by USA in their FIFA U20 Women's World Cup finals Group D opener on Monday in Hiroshima.
The Black Princesses were undone by an own goal through Linda Addai before a hat-trick from striker Maya Haye sealed the win.
Ghana could have shot ahead but striker Florence Dadson was pushed off her stride by a desperate last-gasp challenge from Julie Johnston.
US needed luck to register the first goal when Morgan Brian's powerful header from a corner-kick which had hit the crossbar ricocheted off Addai.
In the second half, Hayes blossomed and she profited from an inch-perfect Kealia Ohai cross to head home.
The Penn State University student doubled her tally midway through the second half and then again in the second minute of injury time.
Ghana will play defending champions Germany on Thursday.