Philippines record historic win as Norway held at Women’s World Cup | OneFootball

The latest from the Women’s World Cup as the Philippines secure a historic victory over hosts New Zealand, Colombia make the perfect start and Norway are held by Switzerland…

COLOMBIA 2-0 SOUTH KOREA

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Las Cafeteras got their campaign off to a perfect start with a 2-0 victory over South Korea.

Cancer survivor Linda Caicedo, aged 18, scored on her World Cup debut to give Colombia their second ever win at the tournament, racing towards Colombian fans in celebration and adding to her reputation as one of the games rising stars.

Colombia took the lead from the spot in the 30th minute after Shim Seo-yeon handled a goal-bound effort from Manuela Vanegas in the area. Catalina Usme converted from the spot sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Their lead was soon doubled after a darting run from Real Madrid prodigy Linda Caicedo. Cutting inside, she curled a shot from the edge of box which seemingly misfooted the South Korean goalkeeper Yoon, who fumbled the ball into her own net.

The two first-half goals were enough to push Colombia over the line, despite South Korea threatening to pull a goal back in the dying embers of the first half as Lee Geum-min’s close-range header following a terrific cross from Choe Yu-Ri forced keeper Catalina Perez into a flying save.

As the game progressed, Colombia started to look more dangerous in the final third and they took control, having 17 attempts on goal to South Korea’s 5. The Asian side struggled to create opportunities in the secind half and rarely threatened the Colombian goal.

The contest saw a moment of World Cup history as South Korea’s teenager Casey Phair became the youngest player ever to take the field in the tournament as she was subbed on in the 78th minute, having just turned 16.

Caicedo spoke after the game exclaiming: ” I am extremely happy, but this has to do with the collective work of everyone … The feeling the group had going onto the pitch, we were a bit anxious, we wanted the World Cup to start, and we wanted to start off on the right foot. This was something crucial. Very happy for the goal and the victory.”

South Korea’s English head coach Colin Bell expressed “When you lose, it’s not so nice, but I’ll treasure this moment for the rest of my life, my first World Cup match. You’re up, you’re down, you’re up, you’re down… that’s football. We love it.”

With their next clash against Morocco, Bell will be eager to regain positivity in the camp as they look to battle their way out of the group in a key encounter.

The result sees Colombia sit second in Group H whilst South Korea sit on third on goal difference to Morocco.

NEW ZEALAND 0-1 PHILIPPINES

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The Philippines stunned co-hosts New Zealand to earn their first ever win at a World Cup while becoming the first debutant team to triumph at this tournament.

Striker Sarina Bolden made New Zealand pay for their lack of efficiency in front of goal, firing a header directly at keeper Victoria Esson, who blundered it into the net to give Philippines their first ever World Cup goal in the 24th minute.

New Zealand did not lack in effort but had lost the magic touch of their historic opener and missed a series of goalscoring opportunities, defender Katie Bowen sent a shot wide of the post in the 38th minute before Hannah Wilkinson, hero of New Zealand’s opener, headed over the bar in the early stages of the second half.

Fern forward Jacqui Hand missed a golden opportunity after a fine move, lashing her shot off the post with the ball bouncing back into the grateful hands of goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.

The World Cup co-hosts looked to have earned themselves a route back into the game when Jacqui Hand’s looping header floated into the top corner, however it was later ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) for offside.

In a frantic finish, Philippines striker Carleigh Frilles had a goal ruled out for offside and New Zealand’s Grace Jale was foiled from close range volley by a fine reflex McDaniel save.

Goalscorer Bolden, who outjumped two Fern defenders to score the crucial goal, said “It feels overwhelming, craz, it feels like I’m in a dream. It doesn’t feel real,” while Manager Alen Stajcic said: “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.”

Philippines play against Norway on Sunday, while New Zealand face Switzerland in two crucial final games in Group A.

SWITZERLAND 0-0 NORWAY

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Former world champions Norway were held to a draw as they sank to the bottom of Group A, continuing their worst run of form for ten years having not won in six games, with talisman and Ballon d’or winner Ada Hegerberg also injured in the warm-up.

The injury seemed to have initially shook the Norway side as they took time to get settled into the game with Switzerland dominating possession in the early stages. However, the Norwegians soon regained their composure and had the best chance of the half through Sophie Haug, Hegerberg’s replacement, whose storming header was saved superbly by Swiss goalkeeper Gaëlle Thalmann in the 25th minute.

Haug was denied again by Thalmann after the restart, palming away the forward’s powerful strike.

Barcelona forward Graham Hansen was introduced just before the hour mark, but failed to make the desired impact despite forcing a smart low save from Thalmann. Frida Maanum’s follow up was also spurned in a cagey affair where neither side created much resembling a clear-cut chance as the game ended goalless.

“Today is a big improvement, what we are doing collectively,” Norway’s head coach Boe Riise said, “We came here with more energy than last time. We have the talent and the great players but we haven’t scored any goals yet. We lack the victory to be able to be completely satisfied.”

The result leaves Norway in desperate need of a win in their final game against the Philippines to stand any chance of progression and keep World Cup hopes alive, while the Swiss sit top of Group A with four points.