(Photo Credit: Hagen Hopkins – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Nigeria have claimed a vital point in their opening Group B match at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ with a 0-0 draw against highly fancied Canada in Melbourne.

Chiamaka Nnadozie was the hero for the Super Falcons after she saved a 50th minute penalty from Canada’s Christine Sinclair after a VAR check had confirmed that Sinclair herself had been tripped in the area by forward Francisca Ordega.

A late red card – following another VAR check –  for Nigeria gave the Canadians hope of a late winner. Deborah Abiodun was given her marching orders after her initial yellow card for a late tackle on Ashley Lawrence was upgraded to a red by the referee following consultation of the pitch-side monitor.

Nigeria: 0
Canada: 0

HT: 0-0

Switzerland has eased past the Philippines 2-0 in their Group A match in Dunedin.

Ramona Bachmann put the Swiss in front from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time before Seraina Piubel added a second in the 64th minute. The Swiss next face Norway in Hamilton while the Philippines meet New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 21: Ramona Bachmann (L) of Switzerland celebrates with teammates Coumba Sow and Seraina Piubel after scoring her team’s first goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group A match between Philippines and Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium on July 21, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Harriet Lander – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Philippines 0
Switzerland 2 (Ramona BACHMANN 45’, Seraina PIUBEL 64’)

HT 0-1

Spain dominant against Costa Rica in Wellington

World number six ranked Spain have beaten Costa Rica 3-0 in their opening Group C match in Wellington.

The Spaniard’s peppered the Costa Rican goal from the outset and scored three goals in a six-minute period in the first spell.

They had 45 shots to just one for Costa Rica which highlighted Spain’s dominance.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 21: Spain players celebrate the team’s second goal scored by Aitana Bonmati (obscured) during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Costa Rica at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 21, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Spain 3 (Valeria DEL CAMPO 21’ (OG), Aitana BONMATI 23’,  Esther GONZALEZ 27’)
Costa Rica 0

HT 3-0