The first draw, the first games with more than one goal, the first saved penalty – it all happened today at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Switzerland and Spain claimed victories, while Nigeria and Canada shared the points.

Group B
Nigeria – Canada 0-0

The competition on the second day of the World Cup started at 4:30 a.m. Polish time. At this time, the teams of Nigeria and Canada went to the lawn of the Melbourne stadium. In a clash between the seventh team in the FIFA rankings and the fortieth team, there could only be one favorite. The African players, however, bravely defended themselves and repeatedly tried to threaten higher ranked rivals. The Maple Leaf Country players were helpless today, and even a penalty kick for Francisca Ordega’s foul on Christine Sinclair didn’t help them in their bid to win. After the VAR analysis, the eleven was announced by the main referee and the injured herself approached the ball. The 40-year-old, for whom this year’s World Cup is the sixth world championship event of her career, touched her right side which was felt by Chiamaka Nnadozie. The Nigerian national team goalkeeper not only saved the shot for the most effective football player in national performance history, but also moved perfectly on the rebound, clearing the ball under Sinclair’s legs. The game between Nigeria and Canada was not a display of attacking talent, which is why it was the goalkeeper who plays every day for the French Paris FC who received the MVP of the game statuette. The players from the Black Continent still had to play weakened at the end. Deborah Abiodun, 19, was shown a red card for Ashley Lawrence’s brutal kick after another VAR analysis.

The full text of the meeting report is available HERE. A more complete video shortcut can be found below THIS LINK.

VAR analysis and penalty! Yes, Chiamaka Nnadozie saved Nigeria! Great double intervention 🧤

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Nigeria – Canada 0-0
Group B#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/sXKjbVpOqB

— Viaplay Sport Poland (@viaplaysportpl) July 21, 2023

Group C
Philippines – Switzerland 0-2 (0-1)
Bachmann 45′ (k), Piubel 64′

VAR also came in handy in the game between Switzerland and the Philippines, making their World Cup debut. At the end of the first set, Jessica Cowart kicked Coumba Sow in the sixteenth and the referee, after analyzing the video, pointed the eleventh meter. The goal “in the locker room” was scored by Ramona Bachmann with a confident shot. The Helvetii didn’t allow their opponent to get any dangerous chances, and after switching sides they managed to seal the victory with a Seraina Piubel hit. Thanks to one more goal than the New Zealand team, the European team, after the first round of Group A matches, found itself in the lead.

A detailed report of today’s World Cup match two can be found HERE. The official abbreviation of the video is hidden under THIS LINK.

Goals Philippines vs Switzerland:

Group C
Spain – Costa Rica 3-0 (3-0)
del Campo 21′ (s), Bonmati 23′, González 27′

The day with the World Cup ended with the opening match of the competition in Group C. The Spanish team presented complete dominance in the duel with Costa Rica. After half an hour of play, the score was 3-0. Valeria del Campo opened the scoring with an own goal and 120 seconds later Aitana Bonmatí also netted a cross from Ony Battlle. After still less than five minutes, Jennifer Hermoso only fired a header off the crossbar, which was, however, precisely finished off by Esther González from close range. Despite the convincing win, La Roja’s efficiency can be criticized. The score should have been even higher in the first half. However, Hermoso missed the penalty. His intentions were perfectly sensed by Costa Rican goalkeeper Daniela Soler. The Spaniards ended the clash with 14 shots on target, only three of which found their way to goal. Costa Rica will have to wait until the second round of the group stage for the first accurate attempt.

A more detailed text report of the Group C opener has been published HERE. Below THIS LINK you can find the official summary of this meeting.

Goals Spain vs Costa Rica: