Historic win: Philippines shock New Zealand 1-0 in Women's World Cup

In a historic upset, the Philippines secured its first-ever Women's World Cup victory by stunning co-host New Zealand with a 1-0 win. 

The momentous triumph came with a 24th-minute goal scored by Sarina Bolden, a California-born player representing the Philippines. This goal marked a significant milestone as it was the first-ever goal for the Philippines in the history of the prestigious competition. 

Despite New Zealand's relentless efforts to equalize, including a disallowed goal ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) due to offside, the Philippines maintained their composure and celebrated a jubilant victory.

For the World Cup debutant, this win carries immense importance. Many players on the Philippine team are US-born, adding to the diversity of talent in women's football. Sarina Bolden, who plays for Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australian A-League, stands out as a prominent player and a recognizable star for the team. Her dual eligibility to represent both the US and the Philippines adds to her significance in promoting football in the Asian nation.

This breakthrough victory opens the door for the Philippines to potentially make further history by progressing to the knockout phases in the closely contested Group A. The team's success has sparked enthusiasm and interest in soccer within the country, both at grassroots levels and among the Filipino-American community.

Maxine David, a 20-year-old Philippines fan whose family immigrated from the Philippines to New Zealand five years ago, expressed mixed feelings. While she appreciates New Zealand as her home, her Filipino heritage fills her with pride for the country's historic achievement in the Women's World Cup.

In another Tuesday match, Switzerland and Norway played out a goalless draw in Hamilton, New Zealand. Norway's talismanic striker, Ada Hegerberg, was absent due to a groin injury, impacting Norway's attacking efforts. Switzerland, on the other hand, secured an important point, maintaining its position atop Group A. Norway faces a challenging task to qualify for the knockout phases with just one point after their opening two games.

Colombia kicked off its World Cup campaign with a resounding 2-0 victory over South Korea. The South American side sealed the win with Catalina Usme's first-half penalty kick and an additional goal by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo. The stadium, filled with passionate Colombia fans, witnessed the team's strength as they celebrated their second-ever Women's World Cup victory.

The game also witnessed a historic moment when forward Casey Phair from South Korea became the youngest-ever player to appear in the Women's World Cup, just 26 days after her 16th birthday, surpassing the previous record held by Nigeria's Ifeanyi Chiejine in 1999.

As the Women's World Cup unfolds, these thrilling matches and historic milestones contribute to the growth of women's football and showcase the talent and diversity on the global stage.