2023 Women’s World Cup: Switzerland beat the Philippines 2-0

Switzerland have gone ahead of the football Ferns at the top of Group A on goal difference after a hard-fought win 2-0 against the Philippines on Friday.

With the second batch of Group A teams taking the field after New Zealand’s win over Norway, anticipation was high for Switzerland to make a statement in their opening match.

However, the first half proved to be a challenge for the Swiss side. Despite boasting players from prominent leagues across Europe, including the Women’s Super League in England, Division 1 Feminine in France, and the Frauen Bundesliga in Germany, they struggled to find their rhythm. Despite holding 75% of the possession, they failed to create clear-cut scoring opportunities against a resilient Philippines defense.

It was only five minutes before halftime when Switzerland finally broke the deadlock. Ana-Marie Crnogorcevic found herself in a promising position inside the area, but her first-time shot sailed over the crossbar, leaving the scoreline unchanged.

Nevertheless, just before the break, Switzerland was awarded a penalty, and Ramona Bachmann stepped up with composure to slot the ball elegantly into the bottom left-hand corner, giving her side the much-needed lead.

In the second half, Switzerland displayed a more dominant performance, showcasing their attacking prowess. In the 60th minute, they doubled their advantage through a goalmouth scramble, with Seraina Severin Piubel finally finding the net after two previous attempts.

While Switzerland may have experienced a sluggish start, their determination and improvement as the match progressed led them to a well-deserved 2-0 victory over the Philippines. This promising start sets the tone for their World Cup journey, as they aim to make a strong impact in the tournament.