New Zealand 0-1 Philippines: Debutants claim first World Cup victory

The Philippines made World Cup history with their first-ever win in the tournament after beating New Zealand 1-0 in Group A.

Sarina Bolden’s 24th-minute header was the difference as the World Cup co-hosts were left to rue plenty of missed chances in the second half.

New Zealand, looking to build on their opening win over Norway and take a big step towards the knockout stages, started brightly at Wellington Regional Stadium, using the wings to break forward and pile the pressure on the Philippines with Hannah Wilkinson slicing an effort over the bar 10 minutes in.

However, it was World Cup debutants Philippines who took the lead with the nation’s first goal in the finals.

Bolden was the player to write their name in the history books, rising highest between two defenders to nod the ball home past goalkeeper Victoria Esson from close range.

New Zealand tried to get back into the game before the break with most of their openings coming through the left flank. 

But they were unable to find the end product with Wilkinson’s header well defended and Katie Bowen smashing the ball wide.

They continued with the same intensity at the start of the second half and had a golden opportunity to equalise when an unmarked Wilkinson headed just over the bar.

Another chance came knocking for the Football Ferns when Jacqui Hand pounced on a fantastic cross, but the forward’s low strike smashed off the post and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel quickly scooped the loose ball up.

Hand thought she had levelled minutes later with a flicked header into the top-right corner from Wilkinson’s cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

The Philippines faced a nervy finish to the game in stoppage time with Wilkinson seeing another header go wide before McDaniel made an excellent diving save at the death to tip Grace Jale’s strike wide of the post.

Both sides are now tied on three points each with one game remaining in the group.