Key storylines from the first two days at the FIFA Women's World Cup
The GIST: The WWC is off to a ravishing start with upsets, injuries, and history-making goals defining the first two matchdays Down Under. Baby, this is what you obliterated your sleep schedule came for.
While you were sleeping: In the wee hours of the morning, world No. 7 CanWNT drew with No. 40 Nigeria 0–0 in a physical affair, as captain Christine Sinclair couldn’t convert on Canada’s lone penalty kick opportunity. Not exactly the strong start Canada was hoping for.
- On the bright side, hours before kickoff, Sincy revealed that equal pay negotiations between the team and Canada Soccer are “on the verge of being signed.” Victory at last.
- After that, No. 20 Switzerland defeated No. 46 Philippines 2–0, while No. 6 Spain whooped No. 36 Costa Rica 3–0. No surprises there.
Key storylines: As you read above, New Zealand made history in the tournament’s opening match, breaking a 32-year-dry-spell to secure the nation’s first World Cup win. ICYMI (it was at 3 a.m. ET, after all), here’s the epic game-winning goal, courtesy of forward Hannah Wilkinson.
- Meanwhile, co-host No. 10 Australia prevailed 1–0 over No. 22 Ireland in their record-setting first game, despite being without superstar forward Sam Kerr, who’s out for at least one more game while she nurses a calf injury she sustained during training.
Up next: The No. 1 USWNT and WWC favorites are expected to dominate No. 32 Vietnam, who are making their first-ever WWC appearance, tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Find us in your inbox later today with a special gametime primer.
- And stay tuned because the games keep coming and they won’t stop coming. There are three thrilling showdowns tomorrow morning, but our personal pick is the 8 a.m. battle between No. 13 Denmark and No. 14 China. Should be a close one.
