Women's World Cup 2023 highlights: Switzerland tops Philippines, 2-0
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup continued Thursday (on FS1 and the FOX Sports app) with Group A powerhouse Switzerland shutting out the Philippines, 2-0, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand.
The Philippines — one of eight first-time entrants in the World Cup — and its American-heavy roster (not a single player in the national team's starting lineup was born in the Philippines) made its tournament debut Thursday.
On the other side, Switzerland is making its second World Cup appearance of all-time and first since 2015, when the Swiss were bounced in the Round of 16.
La Nati were led by captain Lia Walti and the national team's all-time leading scorer Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic.
Captain Tahnai Annis was at the helm for the Philippines, which also featured star defender Angela Beard — who switched allegiances from Australia to join the Filipinas — and Quinley Quezada, the team's all-time leading scorer.
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78': No quit
Switzerland forward Alisha Lehmann tried to make it 3-0 late in the second half, but her shot was blocked, and things ended there.
64': Double trouble
Switzerland midfielder Seraina Piubel helped the Swiss jump out to a 2-0 lead in the second half.
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48': Eyes on the prize
Switzerland midfielder Coumba Sow didn't waste any time trying to extend La Nati's lead as the second half got underway.
45': GOAL!
Switzerland forward Ramona Bachmann converted a penalty kick to put her team up 1-0 ahead of the break.
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36': Up and over
Crnogorcevic took a shot just ahead of the half, but it sailed over the crossbar and things remained scoreless.
34': Spin cycle!
Bachmann was running circles around her competition as the first half continued. Check out her fancy footwork:
29': Settling in
Piubel nearly put her squad on the board midway through the first half but wasn't able to connect.
25': She'll take that!
Philippines goalie Olivia McDaniel wasn't letting anything past her as the first half began to heat up.
16': Philippines almost takes the lead
A beautiful long pass set up what appeared to be the first goal of the game, but an offsides call negated the score.
9': A early yellow
Bachmann earned an early card for pulling her opponent to the ground.
5': Why not take a shot?
Géraldine Reuteler of Switzerland took an ambitious shot from long range right out of the gate, but it sailed over the bar.
PREGAME
Setting the stage
The "World Cup NOW" crew previewed the match live on Twitter ahead of kickoff.
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Getting pumped up for the game
The contest was teed up with an amazing rendition of the classic Haka dance.
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California dreamin'
As noted above, the Philippines roster has a heavy American flavor to it, including Sarina Bolden, who hails from the San Francisco area and played collegiately at Loyola Marymount. Get to know Bolden in this video feature:
Check out the full Women's World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.
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