Group A: Bolden strike secures Philippines historic win

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Group A: Bolden strike secures Philippines historic win

Wellington:  Sarina Bolden scored the only goal of the game as the Philippines created history by claiming their first-ever win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 1-0 victory over co-hosts New Zealand in Group A on Tuesday.

Striker Bolden headed in a cross from Sara Eggesvik in the 24th minute as Alen Stajcic’s Filipinas – the first team, men’s or women’s, to represent their nation in a senior FIFA World Cup – marked the occasion with a historic result at Wellington Regional Stadium.
 
After withstanding intense second-half pressure that included a disallowed New Zealand goal to secure the win, the Philippines will now go into their final group stage game against Norway in Auckland on July 30 with a real chance of progressing to the Round of 16.

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Group H: Korea Republic slip up against Colombia

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Group H: Korea Republic slip up against Colombia

Sydney: Korea Republic slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Colombia in their opening game at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Tuesday as first half goals from Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo condemned Colin Bell’s side in their Group H clash at Sydney Football Stadium.

Usme struck from the penalty spot on the halfhour mark to give Colombia the lead and Caicedo benefitted from a handling error by Korean goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul nine minutes later as Nelson Abadia’s side claimed the three points.

The result leaves Korea playing catch-up in Group H and Bell, who introduced 16-year-old Casey Phair from the bench with 12 minutes left to make her the youngest player ever at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, will need his team to pick up a win against Morocco in Adelaide on Sunday.

Preview - Group C: Japan v Costa Rica

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group C: Japan v Costa Rica

Dunedin: Japan will not make the mistake of underestimating Costa Rica when the two teams face off in Group C of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Wednesday.

Japan, the 2011 world champions, kicked off their campaign with an impressive 5-0 win over Zambia on Saturday while Costa Rica suffered a 3-0 defeat against Spain.

Group F: Borges scores hat-trick as classy Brazil sail past Panama

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

Group F: Borges scores hat-trick as classy Brazil sail past Panama

Adelaide: Ary Borges hit the first hat-trick of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 as Brazil defeated debutants Panama 4-0 in a scintillating opening to their campaign on Monday.

Far tougher challenges lie ahead – they face France next – but this was an impressive start for a Brazil side who have featured at all eight previous Women's World Cups but never won it.

The stylish victory in Adelaide sent Brazil top of Group F after Jamaica surprisingly held France 0-0 on Sunday.

Group H: Morocco no match for six-star Germany

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

Group H: Morocco no match for six-star Germany

Melbourne: Talismanic striker Alexandra Popp scored twice as Germany defeated debutants Morocco 6-0 to launch their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 title charge in ominous fashion on Monday.

Popp's 12th-minute header set the Germans on their way in Melbourne and she collected another before the break as the two-time champions romped to the biggest win of the tournament so far.

Klara Buehl added a third after the restart before own goals from Hanane Ait El Haj and Zineb Redouani, while a last-minute strike from substitute Lea Schueller completed the win.

Group G: Late Girelli header gives Italy perfect start

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

Group G: Late Girelli header gives Italy perfect start

Auckland: Cristiana Girelli came off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner over Argentina as Italy began their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 with a 1-0 victory in a feisty encounter at Eden Park.

It looked like Italy would have to settle for a draw in their Group G opener, watched by almost 31,000, fans after Arianna Caruso and Valentina Giacinti both had goals disallowed in the first half.
 
But Girelli, the Juventus veteran who was Italy's top scorer in qualifying, came on for 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni near the end and needed just four minutes to make her mark with a header.
 
The result sets Italy up perfectly for their next game, against group favourites Sweden in Wellington on Saturday.