Women's World Cup: Spain & Switzerland start with wins; Canada stumble early

Day two of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw three more games as six teams started their respective campaigns – Group A and Group each concluded the first round of fixtures, with Spain also getting underway in Group C against Costa Rica.

On day one, New Zealand made a little bit of their own history by winning their first ever World Cup game, with Australia following that up with a hard fought and narrow win over Republic of Ireland.

Philippines 0-2 Switzerland – Group A

Switzerland have now gone straight to the top of Group A by beating debutants Philippines. In 46th place, Philippines are among the lowest ranked teams in the tournament and have a fairly inexperienced squad made up of primarily foreign-born players recruited relatively recently.

But it took Switzerland a whole half to go into the lead, with Ramona Bachmann converting from the penalty spot just before half-time. Philippines even had the ball in the net much earlier when Katrina Guillou scored but was flagged offside.

Switzerland’s superior quality ultimately did show. They dominated the ball and outshot Philippines by a factor or more than six to one – with Guillou’s goal disallowed the Asian nation didn’t actually register a shot on target in the end. Seraina Piubel got the killer second just over an hour in.

Nigeria 0-0 Canada – Group B

Group B is the closest thing this tournament has to a group of death, with Ireland showing Australia just how competitive it will be to get into the knockouts. Canada came into the World Cup as reigning Olympic champions and a potential dark horse, but couldn’t break down a strong Nigeria.

The Canadians have a reputation as a team built on solid defensive foundations, but Super Falcons stopper Chiamaka Nnadozie fully justified her place in 90min’s ranking of the 10 best goalkeepers at the tournament by saving a Christine Sinclair penalty early in the second half.

The 40-year-old legendary striker, already the all-time leading goalscorer in international football, was seeking to become the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments. But the her spot-kick low to Nnadozie’s left was expertly turned away. The goalkeeper then reacted quickly to push the rebound out of Sinclair’s path to keep the game level, which is how it finished.

Nigeria finished with 10 players after Deborah Abiodun was sent off deep into stoppage time. But by going toe to toe with the world’s seventh ranked team and coming out as equal, they will now be full of belief that they have what it takes to make it into the next round.

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

Spain’s preparations over the past year have been marred by controversy surrounding the management of coach Jorge Vilda, which led 15 players to declare themselves unavailable for selection last September. La Roja have seen three of those players return but are still missing multiple world class performers like Barcelona trio Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Sandra Panos.

Despite not being at full strength through circumstances not related to football, the Spanish still put down an early marker with three goals in the first half hour against Costa Rica to record the biggest win of this World Cup so far. The crossbar and Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniele Solera limited it to 3-0 – that included a 34th minute penalty from Jenni Hermoso that was saved.

Valeria del Campo turned Esther Gonzalez’s cross into her own net to break the deadlock after 21 minutes. Aitana Bonmati, one of those who has returned from a self-enforced absence, then doubled the lead just moments later, before Gonzalez headed in a quickfire third.

Alexia Putellas is still yet to start a competitive game at either club or international level since returning from her ACL injury in April, but got 13 minutes under her belt off the bench. Fans will hope to see more of her next up against a potentially dangerous Zambia.

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