Women’s World Cup: Co-Hosts New Zealand Suffer Defeat, Colombia Win, Norway Draw

The 2023 Women’s World Cup matchday five didn’t see as many goals as in match day four in which eleven goals were recorded in three games.

In matchday five which went down earlier today, July 25, only three goals were recorded in three matches.

The most unbelievable result of the day happened in the game between the Co-hosts, New Zealand and the Philippines.

To the surprise of most of the thousands of spectators at the Wellington Regional Stadium, Philippines beat the co-hosts by a lone goal.

Sarina Bolden’s early header earned the Filipino women their first win at the World Cup and they were left in tears immediately after the referee blew the final whistle.

After the game, the manager of the team, Alen Stajcic said, “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 of the team was special.

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

The game that saw more than one goal on match day five was the game between Colombia and South Korea.

The match which took place in Sydney saw the Colombian women start their World Cup campaign on a winning note.

Colombia’s Catalina Usme got the opening goal from the penalty spot, before 18-year-old Linda Caicedo doubled the lead thanks to an error from Korean goalie Yoon Young-geul.

The two first-half goals were all the Colombian women needed to grab a 2-0 win over South Korea but remained second in Group H behind Germany on goals difference.

In the last game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup match day five, there was no way for Norway and Switzerland as their encounter ended in a goalless draw.

Based on the outcome of this game, Norway are condemned to beat the Philippines in their final group game in Auckland on Sunday to stand a chance of playing in the next round.

While Switzerland are under no pressure as they are currently topping their group with four points. But they would hope to finish strong in the 2023 Women’s World Cup group stage by beating New Zealand in Dunedin on Sunday.