Women's World Cup Day 2: Nigeria frustrates Canada, Spain nets three

Day 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup saw Canada battle Nigeria, the Philippines challenge Switzerland, and Costa Rica take on Spain.

It was a Friday filled with heartbreak for the Philippines and Costa Rica, who suffered commanding losses, as well as for Christine Sinclair, who was denied from the spot. But it was also a day of passion and authority from La Roja and La Nati. Both teams cruised to the top of their groups and set the standard for the rest of the tournament.

Group B: Canada 0, Nigeria 0
Group A: Switzerland 2, The Philippines 0
Group C: Spain 3, Costa Rica 0

Chiamaka Nnadozie denies Sinclair from the spot

On a sunny afternoon at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Nigeria made headlines after deadlocking Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, in their first game of the tournament.

But the moment of the match came five minutes into the second half, when Sinclair was fouled in the box by Francisca Ordega and awarded a penalty. The Canadian skipper stepped up to the spot but was denied by 22-year-old keeper Nnadozie, who made a diving one-handed save. Sinclair couldn’t get to the ball fast enough to score the rebound, looking utterly frustrated after missing her chance to make it 1-0 for Canada.

Had the 40-year-old converted the penalty, she would have become the first player, of any gender, to score in six different World Cups. For now, Sinclair will remain at 190 international goals.

Classy Switzerland sour Philippines’ World Cup debut

While tournament debutant the Philippines played nobly, it was the Swiss that made their presence known on the world stage.

Despite a half-full audience inside Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, the crowd’s cheers (or boo’s) were deafening after officials made a key penalty call against the Philippines in the final moments of the first half. Switzerland’s Coumba Sow slid for the ball in the Philippines’ box, and was kicked by Jessika Cowart in the process. Ramona Bachmann took the opportunity to give La Nati the lead via the spot.

The victory put Switzerland into first place in Group A, leading New Zealand on goal differential, giving them a better chance of making it to the Round of 16.

Spain cruise to victory after scoring three goals in six minutes

After a trio of goals over Costa Rica, Spain solidified themselves as one of the World Cup favourites in the opening game of Group C.

Despite entering the tournament in a state of disarray with their federation, La Roja delivered a masterclass in possession and fluidity in front of 22,966 fans in Wellington, New Zealand. Spain took early control when Esther Gonzalez forced Valeria Del Campo to put the ball in her own net 21 minutes in. The floodgates then opened for Spain, as a crafty Aitana Bonmati found the net with a powerful strike two minutes later. Gonzalez rounded out the scoring with a tap-in from close range at the 27-minute mark.

With the win, the Spaniards took early control of Group C, and did it mostly without two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who stepped on the pitch 77 minutes in after a lengthy injury battle.

Nigerian goalkeeper Nnadozie, just 22 years old, rejects Sinclair from the spot, denying the Canadian captain a record-breaking goal at her sixth World Cup and giving the Super Falcons hope for the rest of their campaign.

“This may be our first time out here, but it doesn’t feel like it. We have way more to give. We’re going to look forward to the next one and bring it as hard as we can,” said Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel after her nation's World Cup debut.

1. Ashley Lawrence, Canada: Lawrence’s moment of the day came after Les Rouges suffered a defensive breakdown 36 minutes in. The 28-year-old put her body on the line to intercept a loose ball that would likely have been a goal for Nigeria.

2. Ramona Bachmann, Switzerland: After scoring a penalty in Switzerland’s opening match of the tournament, the 32-year-old became La Nati’s top scorer at the Women’s World Cup with four goals, sliding ahead of Fabienne Humm who has three.

3. Aitana Bonmati, Spain: The 25-year-old didn’t let the pouring rain stop her from scoring a commanding goal on the world’s stage, helping Spain secure their biggest Women’s World Cup win to date. Bonmati smartly dodged two Costa Rica defenders, striking the ball clean and hard to net La Roja’s second of the evening.

The current Women’s World Cup title holders USA begin their tournament on Friday at 9 p.m. ET. Golden Boot favourite Alex Morgan and rising star Trinity Rodman will take on No. 32 Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

That will be followed by more Group C action as Zambia takes on Japan on Saturday at 3 a.m. ET. Group D will then take to the pitch for the first time, as England faces off against Haiti at 5:30 a.m. ET, and Denmark takes on China at 8 a.m. ET to cap off Matchday 3.