Preview of Day Two at the Women’s World Cup: Nigeria vs. Canada, Philippines vs. Switzerland, and Spain vs. Costa Rica
The second day of the 2023 Women’s World Cup is set to showcase thrilling matchups as teams battle for victory on the world stage. New Zealand and Australia started off their campaigns with impressive wins on the opening day, securing the top spots in their respective groups. However, Friday’s matches could bring about changes in the standings.
In Group A, Switzerland aims to dethrone New Zealand from the top position as they face off against debutants, the Philippines. Meanwhile, Group B features a clash between reigning Olympic champions, Canada, and Nigeria, with both teams eyeing the chance to replace the current group leaders, the Matildas.
The tournament’s first major upset could potentially unfold in Group C as Spain takes on underdogs Costa Rica. The Spanish team, despite facing some internal challenges before the World Cup, remains a strong contender with the return of key players like Alexia Putellas, the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.
Here’s a closer look at the matches:
Nigeria vs. Canada
Group B | Melbourne | 03:30 BST | BBC
Canada’s veteran captain, Christine Sinclair, has been a consistent performer with 10 World Cup goals across five tournaments. As Canada, playing in their eighth World Cup, meets Nigeria, competing in their ninth, both teams aim to make their mark after facing disruptions in their preparations. Despite the challenges, Canada remains confident in their ability to overcome any team. Nigeria, on the other hand, promises to showcase unity and confidence in their quest to defeat the reigning Olympic champions. Rachel Brown-Finnis predicts a close match with Canada having the edge. Score prediction: 1-2.
Philippines vs. Switzerland
Group A | Dunedin | 06:00 BST | ITV
The Philippines’ journey to the Women’s World Cup has been remarkable, with manager Alen Stajcic describing it as nothing short of miraculous. As the 46th-ranked team, they face Switzerland, who have only appeared in the World Cup once before. Switzerland boasts players from some of Europe’s top teams but has struggled to secure victories recently. Stajcic believes his team will need to create their own luck to compete against the more experienced Swiss side. Rachel Brown-Finnis anticipates a challenging match for Switzerland but predicts their victory. Score prediction: 0-1.
Spain vs. Costa Rica
Group C | Wellington | 08:30 BST | BBC
Spain enters the tournament following a dispute between players and manager Jorge Vilda, but they have resolved their issues in time for the World Cup. With the return of Alexia Putellas and a talented roster, Spain is considered a genuine contender for the trophy. Costa Rica, ranked significantly lower, will aim to replicate their performance from the 2015 World Cup when they held Spain to a draw. However, Rachel Brown-Finnis believes Spain will dominate this time, setting an early marker in their quest to top the group. Score prediction: 4-0.
Key stat: During the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Spain had the second-highest possession percentage (61.2%) after Canada (63.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Women’s World Cup matches
Q: When is the Women’s World Cup taking place?
A: The Women’s World Cup is currently underway in 2023.
Q: Which teams are playing on day two of the Women’s World Cup?
A: On day two, Nigeria will face Canada, the Philippines will play against Switzerland, and Spain will go up against Costa Rica.
Q: Who are the reigning Olympic champions in women’s soccer?
A: Canada is the reigning Olympic champion in women’s soccer.
Q: How many World Cup goals has Christine Sinclair scored?
A: Christine Sinclair, the captain of the Canadian team, has scored a total of 10 World Cup goals throughout her career.
Q: Are there any debutant teams in the Women’s World Cup?
A: Yes, the Philippines is one of the eight teams making their debut in the Women’s World Cup this year.
Q: Which teams have faced off previously in the Women’s World Cup?
A: Nigeria and Canada have met twice before in the Women’s World Cup, with Nigeria winning their most recent encounter in 2011 with a score of 1-0.
Q: Who is considered the favorite in the match between the Philippines and Switzerland?
A: Switzerland is seen as the favorite in the match against the Philippines, although the latter team could make it challenging for them.
Q: How did Costa Rica perform in their previous Women’s World Cup appearance?
A: In their only previous Women’s World Cup appearance in 2015, Costa Rica managed to hold Spain to a 1-1 draw in their opening game.
Q: What is Spain’s possession percentage in the Women’s World Cup?
A: During the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Spain had a possession percentage of 61.2%, which was the second-highest after Canada’s 63.3%.
Q: Who is predicting the match outcomes?
A: Rachel Brown-Finnis is making the match predictions for the Women’s World Cup matches.
More about Women’s World Cup matches
- 2023 Women’s World Cup Official Website
- FIFA Women’s World Cup on Wikipedia
- Canada Soccer Official Website
- Nigeria Football Federation Official Website
- Philippines Football Federation Official Website
- Swiss Football Association Official Website
- Royal Spanish Football Federation Official Website
- Costa Rican Football Federation Official Website
5 comments
wow the woman’s world cup sounds exciting, can’t wait to see the matches! nigeria vs canada gonna be intense!
spain is a realy good team in womens soccer they have amazing players and i think they will win by a lot against costa rica.
i luv how the philippines is making their debut in the world cup, it’s so inspiring to see new teams compete on this stage!
christine sinclair is a legend in women’s football, she always scores goals in the world cup. i hope she scores again for canada!
can’t believe switzerland hasn’t won a game in a long time, hope they break the streak against the philippines!