In the opening match of the Women’s World Cup in Wellington, Spain, the favorites of Group C, displayed their exceptional possession game and secured an impressive 3-0 victory against Costa Rica on July 21.
During the action-packed first half, the scoring spree began with an own goal from Valeria del Campo in the 20th minute, followed quickly by goals from Aitana Bonmati and Jennifer Hermoso.
Despite their relentless efforts and an impressive 46 shots, Spain couldn’t find the net again as Costa Rica’s tenacious defense minimized the deficit.
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In another thrilling encounter in Melbourne, Group B favorite Canada was held to a goalless draw against a resilient Nigerian side.
Canada’s captain, Christine Sinclair, aimed to make history as the first player to score at six World Cups, but her 50th-minute penalty was deflected by the impressive Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who made several crucial saves throughout the match.
Despite Canada’s dominance with a whopping 46 shots on goal, Nigeria’s tough defense frustrated the Canadian team, resulting in a 0-0 stalemate.
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Over in Group A, Switzerland showcased their prowess with a comfortable 2-0 victory over newcomer the Philippines in Dunedin.
The Swiss dominated possession with a staggering 74 percent and overwhelmed the Philippines with eight shots on target, while the Philippines couldn’t muster a single shot.
Ramona Bachmann’s successful penalty kick conversion just before half-time and Seraina Piubel’s goal in the 64th minute sealed Switzerland’s victory.
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As the tournament kicks off to a fantastic start, fans eagerly anticipate the defending champions, the United States, as they begin their title defense against Vietnam in a slate of four exciting games on July 22 (Saturday).