Switzerland made a winning start to their Women's World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over debutants Philippines at Dunedin Stadium, thanks to Ramona Bachmann's first-half penalty and a close-range effort from Seraina Piubel.
Inka Grings' side were awarded a penalty by VAR after midfielder Coumba Sow was caught by a stray boot from Jessika Cowart in the box late in the first half, with forward Bachmann coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
The Philippines, coached by former Matildas manager Alen Stajcic, made history as they became the first team from their country - male or female - to appear at the finals of a global soccer tournament.
And they were denied an early opener when midfielder Katrina Guillou's strike was ruled out for offside.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Switzerland's top scorer and most capped player, fired over from close range before Bachmann's penalty put them ahead.
Switzerland dominated the second half and deservedly doubled their lead through midfielder Piubel, who smashed home in the 64th minute after McDaniel denied Crnogorcevic and Sow.
There were plenty of empty seats in the 30,000-capacity stadium on Friday, despite FIFA giving away 20,000 free tickets for games in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin amid concerns about the slow pace of sales in New Zealand.
Switzerland top Group A on goal difference ahead of co-hosts New Zealand, who upset Norway 1-0 on Thursday.
Earlier, Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty kick by Christine Sinclair in the 50th minute, and Nigeria emerged with a surprising 0-0 draw against Canada.
The game was the opener for both teams in Group B. Australia tops the group after beating the Republic of Ireland 1-0 on Thursday.
Canada, who won gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, are ranked seventh in the world by FIFA. Nigeria are ranked 40th.
Nigeria ended the game with 10 players after Deborah Abiodun received a red card deep in second-half stoppage time for a late, high challenge on the shin of Ashley Lawrence.
The key moment in the game came early in the second half. After a video review, Francisca Ordega was ruled to have fouled Sinclair in the penalty area. Nnadozie dived to her left and knocked away Sinclair's low penalty kick.
Sinclair, 40, was attempting to become the first player - male or female - ever to score in six World Cup tournaments. She is the all-time leader in international goals with 190.
Reuters
