Philippines 0-2 Switzerland: Ramona Bachmann and Seraina Piubel goals gift Swiss opening win

Switzerland opened their 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over debutants the Philippines in Dunedin, New Zealand.

After a bright start for the Philippines, Katrina Guillou thought she had scored her nation’s first World Cup goal when she found the back of the net after 16 minutes, but it was swiftly ruled out for offside.

The result moves Switzerland to the top of Group A, above co-hosts New Zealand on goal difference.

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The Philippines, playing in their first World Cup – men’s or women’s – got off to a promising start, pushing forward and disrupting Switzerland’s possession.

However, after Guillou’s effort was disallowed, the the Swiss grew into the match and put the Philippines on the back foot with Geraldine Reuteler and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic missing close-range chances.

Inka Grings’ side were finally rewarded for their efforts when, after a video assistant referee review, they were given a penalty for a late challenge by Jessika Cowart, who misjudged her clearance and kicked the ankles of Coumba Sow.

Paris St-Germain forward Bachmann calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner past an unmoving Olivia McDaniel to give her side the lead just before the break.

Switzerland were dominant throughout the second half and doubled their lead after a McDaniel double save from Crnogorcevic and Sow eventually found the ball in the path of Piubel, who latched onto it for an easy tap-in.

Despite a last gasp push and McDaniel rushing into the Swiss box, Alen Stajcic’s side could not find the breakthrough to give them a debut World Cup goal.