FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Philippines beat co-hosts New Zealand 1-0 – Watch

With her first goal in her first FIFA Women’s World Cup, the undefeated Philippines earned their first win on Tuesday by beating hosts New Zealand 1-0 in a Group A match that turned controversial when a potential equalizer was disallowed.

New Zealand secured their first World Cup victory when they upset Norway in their opening match of the tournament five days earlier. For the first time in six World Cups, the Football Ferns went into a match as favourites, with another win almost certain to become the first team to reach the pre-quarters. However, Sarina Bolden scored the historic match-winner for the Philippines with her first shot on goal in the 24th minute, turning the script and sending the stadium packed with more than 33,000 new Kiwi football fans into silence. (Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr vs Kylian Mbappe’s PSG live streaming details: When and where to watch in India?)

New Zealand were in the lead in the first 20 minutes playing with confidence, showing what they hoped would be their best chance to win the group stage. He had 80% possession, 74 completed passes to 11, had five early shots on goal and it seemed inevitable that the goals would come which would lead to the next round for the first time.

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This is how you celebrate your first World Cup win.@pilipinaswnft #beyond greatness #FIFAWWC #streamingliveonfancode pic.twitter.com/rjxjl4TDmC— FanCode (@FanCode) 25 July 2023

New Zealand goalkeeper Vic Eason had nothing to do until the 20th minute when he had to step forward to clear a dangerous free kick. Suddenly, panic, even disorganization, broke out in the New Zealand defence.

Four minutes later, and another free kick that caused chaos in the New Zealand goalmouth, the clearance was ineffective and Sarah Eggeswick cleared the ball back for Bolden, who leapt high to head the ball home.

There was stunned silence for a moment, and suddenly the Philippines supporters were in full voice.

For the rest of the first half, the match was more competitive as New Zealand tried to regroup and rally. It wasted a few chances before the interval.

New Zealand threw everything at the Philippines in the second half but to no avail. The moment of controversy came in the 68th when Jackie Hand, who had been denied by the post four minutes earlier, scored an equalizer from Hannah Wilkinson’s cross.

The New Zealanders were in full celebration until the referee ruled that Wilkinson was offside. The decision was close: Wilkinson’s arm and part of his shoulder were dislocated, but it was enough.

Wilkinson had one chance in the first half and one more in the second when he headed over the bar from CJ Bott’s cross. But, she was unable to recapture the form she had shown as New Zealand’s scorer against Norway.

Places in the next stage will be at stake when New Zealand play Switzerland in Dunedin on Sunday and the Philippines play Norway in Auckland.