Women's World Cup: Philippines make history; Norway continue to disappoint & Colombia get going

Day six of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw the completion of the first matchday, and the beggining of the second round of group fixtures.

Philippines spoiled the party in Wellington by bringing New Zealand crashing back down to earth after a historic result of their own in Group A. Norway's issues continuing to mount as former Balon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg suffered an injured during the pre-game warm-up.

As the first round of fixtures concluded in Group H, Colombia put down a statement performance.

New Zealand 0-1 Philippines – Group A

After the high of winning their opening match against Norway in front of a jubilant home crowd, New Zealand's party came crashing down in the shape of Sarina Bolden, who scored the winner for Philippines in what was their first ever victory in a World Cup.

It took them two games, unlike New Zealand who had waited 32 years, The victory also makes Philippines the first of the debutants at this tournament to collect three points.

Despite the match taking place at Wellington Regional Stadium, the noise from the away fans was deafening, especially when Bolden aimed a powerful header at Football Ferns goalkeeper Vic Esson, who then fumbled the ball over the line.

The goal holds such large significance in Filipino sporting history, with it being the first scored by the country in any senior World Cup - men's or women's.

The Filipino commentators had to hold back their emotions on the microphones, and the watch-along party in Quezon City had hundreds of fans celebrating the eventual victory, with veteran player Camille Rodriguez spotted in the front row showing her support.

The support didn't go unnoticed, with head coach Alen Stajcic saying: "Just look around. I think there are more Filipinos than Kiwis. What a tremendous boost for the country. Seeing the smiles on all their faces, the noise. It feels like a home game in Manila."

"How can you top beating a host nation at a World Cup? It's number one.

"It was very emotional out on the pitch, seeing just about everyone crying. It's unbelievable. When you hear stories of other teams needing so long to win World Cup matches. We have done it in our second match in our first World Cup.

"You can't really appreciate how far back in the pack we have come compared to these teams. The unity, work rate and heart from the team was special.

"I don't know if there's been a bigger win for Philippines' sport. It has to be one of the biggest wins in the history of the country.

"I think the team showed true heart. That song that was ringing out, Puso, which means heart in Tagalog. The girls just showed a lot of heart."

Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel also came up big in the final moments, quickly getting down low and parrying away a chance from Grace Jale.

New Zealand may feel that luck wasn't on their side. They had an equaliser chalked off for the smallest of offsides, and a chance that hit the post, but they were a shadow of the side that triumphed over Norway on day one against a side that, on paper, they were large favourites to beat.

With the win, the Filipinas have now given themselves a chance to qualify for the knockouts, a dream that Bolden hopes will inspire their fans just as the generation before did for her: "This is for you guys. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for all the Filipinas that started this team before I even came on.

"You guys are the reason this win could even happen... for me to even get that goal, for Liv to make that save, for us to be even at this point. It's all because of you guys and I hope we made you guys proud tonight."

Switzerland 0-0 Norway – Group A

The choices of manager Hege Riise continued to be questioned after Norway drew 0-0 with Switzerland, leaving qualifying for the round of 16 now out of their hands.

After the lacklustre defeat against New Zealand in Norway's opening fixture, Riise opted to change things up for this match, questionably dropping Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen from the starting XI. Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Julie Blakstad were also excluded.

Furthermore, a big blow to Norway occured right before kick-off when former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg injured her groin in the final warm-up. She was replaced by Sophie Roman Haug. No news yet from the Norwegian camp on the seriousness of Hegerberg's injury.

Norway looked shaken and disjointed for the majority of the match against Switzerland, who defended well and were actually quite wasteful going forward.

The Norwegians find themselves bottom of Group A with a sole point and have now gone four matches without scoring at a major tournament. If they want to progress to the knockouts, they will need to win against Philippines and hope that the other final match works in their favour.

This was the tournament where Norway were supposed to come-back from a disappointing Euro 2022, but it's clear to see that something in their current setup is just not working.

Colombia 2-0 South Korea – Group H

Colombia's long await to get their campaign going was worth it after their 2-0 win over South Korea, the 300th match in Women's World Cup history.

But it wouldn't be a World Cup without some VAR drama.

Catalina Usme scored a penalty after a handball from Shim Seo-yeon, a decision which South Korea coach Colin Bell felt was harsh.

"The penalty was a little bit harsh because the ball was really well-struck, at speed, at distance, I don't know where Seo-yeon would have had to put our arms," the Englishman said.

"I just wondered why that was not reviewed. I've watched all the matches so far in this tournament, you've had five minutes with review at times [when] nobody knows what's going on. This time it's a clear penalty. So, then you go down [a goal], and then it's very difficult against a very strong Colombia team."

18-year-old Real Madrid talent Linda Caicedo doubled the lead with some impressive skill before capatalising on a mistake by keeper Yoon Young-geul.

The goal meant that she became the second-youngest player to score at a Women's World Cup, only behind Brazil's Marta, who achieved the feat at the age of 17 in 2003.

South Korea also made history with Casey Phair becoming the youngest-ever player at a Women's World Cup at just 16 years and 26 days came on as a 77th-minute substitute.

READ MORE ON THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND