Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: England build-up to Haiti opener after Spain win

England are building up to their opening game of the Women’s World Cup as the Lionesses face Haiti in Brisbane on Friday.

Captain Millie Bright has been passed fit for the Group D clash as Sarina Wiegman vowed the Lionesses would do “everything” they can to bring home a first World Cup trophy.

Spain began their World Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, as Aitana Bonmati scored a stunning goal to highlight a dominant performance.

Earlier, Christine Sinclair missed a penalty and the chance to make World Cup history as Olympic champions Canada were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria, while Switzerland defeated debutants Philippines 2-0 to go top of Group A.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie secured a valuable point for Nigeria, leaving Group B wide open, as she saved Sinclair’s penalty in the 50th minute at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Sinclair is bidding to become the first player to score in six World Cups in Australia.

Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog

Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Latest scores and updates

• Women’s World Cup 2023 under way in New Zealand and Australia

• Spain cruise to comfortable 3-0 win against Costa Rica in Group C

• Canada held to 0-0 draw by Nigeria as Christine Sinclair sees penalty saved

• Switzerland defeat World Cup debutants Philippines 2-0 in Group A

• England captain Millie Bright fit to start World Cup opener against Haiti

• Women’s World Cup tournament schedule and TV channel guide

Philippines 0 - 2 Switzerland

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

10:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Three points for Spain and a very comfortable opening match for La Roja. Aitana Bonmati’s goal midway through the first half and the return of Alexia Putellas in the second half very much the highlights of the day.

Player of the match, though, was Costa Rica’s goalkeeper Solera. Spain had 46 shots across the game but were kept to their three first-half goals.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

10:27 , Jamie Braidwood

90+4 mins: Costa Rica are very close to earning a ‘0-0 draw’ in the second half. Spain have had so much of the ball and all of the chances, with substitute Alba Redondo the latest to go close, but Costa Rica have shown so much spirit in this second half to keep the score down.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

10:15 , Jamie Braidwood

82 mins: Putellas goes down in the box after tumbling over an outstretched leg, but then plays a sublime ball around the corner to Mariona.

Spain up to 40 shots now...

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

10:10 , Jamie Braidwood

77 mins: Alexia Putellas is back! The two-time Ballon d’Or winner makes her long-awaited return to a major tournament after missing the Euros last summer. Spain will want to get her back into the starting line-up as soon as possible.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

10:06 , Jamie Braidwood

72 mins: Costa Rica look like they would be happy to shake hands on 3-0 right now. Goalkeeper Solera was down with an injury but it looks as if she will try and battle on.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain are up to 36 shots for the match, and we’re only about two-thirds of the way through.

Paralleulo goes close again with a flicked header that fades away from the far post.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant save! Spain are turning on the style now as Paralleulo dances inside the box and drives a shot towards the top corner. Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera is the busiest player on the pitch at the moment and makes another excellent save to tip it over the bar.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Off the bar! So close from Olga Carmona - the left back smashes a strike from the angle that thuds of the top of the upright.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Back underway in Wellington! Incredibly, Spain had only ever won one match at the Women’s World Cup before today. They were winless in 2015, including a draw against Costa Rica, before they reached the last-16 four years ago. Spain have much grander ambitions this time around.

Sarina Wiegman insists England will give ‘everything’ to lift Women’s World Cup

09:33 , Jamie Braidwood

England boss Sarina Wiegman vowed the Lionesses would do “everything” they can to bring home a first World Cup when they begin their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday.

Wiegman also provided a welcome update on captain Millie Bright, who is fit to start tomorrow’s contest after concerns she was still recovering from the knee injury she sustained in March which required surgery.

The World Cup trophy is one that has so far eluded both England and Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the final four years ago in France but fell to defeat at the hands of the United States.

Asked if England could lift the trophy this year, she said: “We’re here and we have a dream, and of course there’s always a chance to win the World Cup, and many more countries can win the World Cup I think, but of course we’re going to give our everything starting tomorrow.”

Sarina Wiegman insists England will give ‘everything’ to lift Women’s World Cup

HALF TIME! Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain take a comfortable lead into half-time after finding what was a crucial breakthrough against Costa Rica. Since going ahead, Spain have looked far more confident, with their build-up play being able to pull Costa Rica’s deep defence out of shape.

Bonmati’s goal was the highlight of a statement performance so far.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:14 , Jamie Braidwood

43 mins: Spain will always take chances on the ball and they are almost caught out as Parades plays it back to goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez, who narrowly avoids being closed down by a Costa Rica forward.

SAVED PENALTY! Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

09:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Penalty! Well, it’s the fifth game of the World Cup, and we have our fifth penalty of the tournament! Olga Carmona goes down in the box after a wild sliding challenge, giving Hermoso the chance to add Spain’s fourth.

But as Hermoso stutters, Daniela Solera holds her ground... and saves! Great moment for the goalkeeper.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

08:59 , Jamie Braidwood

And it’s three! Inside half an hour, Spain have themselves a commanding lead. Teresa Abelleira’s cross to the far post finds Jenni Hermoso but her header crashes off the underside of the bar. It drops to Esther Gonzalez, who hooks in the third.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup: Spain 2-0 Costa Rica

08:54 , Jamie Braidwood

AITANA BONMATI! This is so, so good from the Spain star. She shifts the ball superbly out from under her feet with a lovely couple of touches in the box, before firing a brilliant left-foot shot into the far corner. Wonderful from Bonmati.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup: Spain 1-0 Costa Rica

08:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Breakthrough! Well, it had been coming. Spain’s movement and passing is too good. Bonmati’s flick releases Gonzalez in the inside left channel - the striker fires it across goal and it deflects in off the unfortunate defender Valeria del Campo.

Spain lead through the first own goal of the tournament.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Costa Rica

08:49 , Jamie Braidwood

18 mins: The pressure continues from Spain - they have had 85 per cent of the possession in the opening stages. Costa Rica are setting very deep and are hanging on for dear life.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps hits out at Nike over kit decision: ‘Very hurtful’

08:46 , Jamie Braidwood

England goalkeeper Mary Earps says Nike’s decision to not sell her kit during the Women’s World Cup is “hurtful” and “hugely disappointing”.

England’s home and away kits are available for fans to buy, but the Lionesses goalkeeper shirts have not been put up for sale by the team’s kit supplier.

Earps was England’s goalkeeper when they won the Euros last summer and the Manchester United star was named Fifa’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper for 2022.

Earps said England captain Millie Bright had told her she wanted to buy her kit for her niece, only to find it wasn’t available for purchase.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps hits out at Nike over kit decision: ‘Very hurtful’

Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Costa Rica

08:43 , Jamie Braidwood

9 mins: Chance! Lovely build-up from Spain - Athenea del Castillo fires in a cross to Esther Gonzalez, who tries to flick a backheel towards the backpost.

Spain threaten again and Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera does very well to tip the header from Ivana Andrés over the bar.

Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Costa Rica

08:38 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s a very heavy pitch in Wellington after all the rain - which could make things difficult for Spain’s technical players as they look to pass and play their way through Costa Rica.

KICK-OFF! Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Costa Rica

08:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Underway! No Alexia Putellas for Spain, but loads of star quality still on display, particulary in Aitana Bonmati and Salma Paralluelo.

Women’s World Cup: Spain vs Costa Rica

08:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Almost set for kick-off in Wellington, where it looks very cold. It has also just started raining.

Zambia and Japan are also in Group C - they play their first match tomorrow.

Women’s World Cup: Spain vs Costa Rica

08:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Key player - Costa Rica

Raquel Rodriguez is Costa Rica’s record scorer with 55 goals, including the country’s first at a World Cup on their only previous appearance in 2015. The Portland Thorns midfielder, who has won over 100 caps for Costa Rica, has urged her team-mates to battle with passion and commitment as they look to claim a first-ever World Cup win.

The coach

Amelia Valverde took charge of Costa Rica before their previous World Cup appearance in 2015, and at the age of just 28. She remains in charge and has guided the country back to the World Cup thanks to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Concacaf Championships. Valverde made the controversial call to leave the 37-year-old Shirley Cruz, Costa Rica’s greatest ever player and former captain, out of her squad for the World Cup.

Women’s World Cup: Spain vs Costa Rica

08:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Key player - Spain

Aitana Bonmati. When an ACL injury robbed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas of the chance to play at the Euros last summer and then took away almost all of the following season, it handed her international and club team-mate Bonmati the opportunity to play further forward for Barcelona. How she took it. Arguably the best player in the world over the past year, the midfielder is technically flawless and has unlocked the ability to contribute even more goals and assists. Although Putellas is now back and will likely grab the attention, Bonmati deserves her own recognition.

The coach

Jorge Vilda is perhaps the most divisive head coach at the World Cup, and that’s not just among Spain’s pool of players. Vilda faced criticism for his team selections last summer as Spain finished runner-up to Germany in the group stages of the Euros and were then knocked out by England in the quarter-finals. He survived with his job, and did so again as players walked out on the team. He is theoretically under pressure again with Spain’s golden generation expected to compete for the title, but he also has the backing of the federation.

Women’s World Cup: Spain vs Costa Rica

08:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Alexia Putellas starts on the bench for Spain as they begin their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner is still coming back to full fitness after missing most of the season from an ACL injury.

Spain XI: Rodriguez, Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona, Bonmati, Abelleira, del Castillo, Hermoso, Paralluelo, Gonzale

Subs: Caldentey, Codina, Coll, Galvez, Guerrero, Hernandez, Navarro, Perez, Putellas, Rebondo, Salon, Zornoza

Costa Rica XI: Solera, Fabiola Villalobos, Benavides, Del Campo, Coto, Alvarado, Gloriana Villalobos, Elizondo, Herrera, Salas, Chinchilla

Subs: Campos, Estrada, Granados, Guillen, Perez, Pinell, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Scott, Tapia, Valenciano, Varela

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 2-0 Philippines

08:00 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s an opening victory for Switzerland at the Women’s World Cup as they defeat Philippines 2-0 to go top of Group A.

A first-half penalty from Ramona Bachmann, the fourth to be awarded in as many games so far at the tournament, set the Swiss on their way before Seraina Piubel made sure of the three points after the break.

Philippines were competitive on their World Cup debut and thought they had taken the lead, only for Katrina Guillou’s finish to be disallowed by the offside flag.

Switzerland will take on Norway next, while Philippines face hosts New Zealand. The Football Ferns defeated Norway in their opening match yesterday, in what was their first ever win at the World Cup.

Women’s World Cup 2023: Every kit, ranked

07:34 , Jamie Braidwood

The battle for the Women’s World Cup is underway, but the contest for the best kit at the tournament has never been stronger.

The biggest ever Women’s World Cup means there are more new shirts to dive into than ever before, while Nike and Adidas have taken their creative experimentation process to another level in Australia and New Zealand.

Like in 2019, the Women’s World Cup features a host of unique designs - with Adidas unveiling a selection of nature-themed kits and Nike taking inspiration from various artistic movements. The results are wild.

Here are the Women’s World Cup 2023 kits, ranked and rated from worst to best:

Every Women’s World Cup kit ranked and rated

GOAL! Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 2-0 Philippines

07:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Switzerland double their lead! Wing-back Geraldine Reuteler flies down the left, getting to the byline. She cuts it back to find Crnogorcevic, whose effort is saved from six yards. Sow is unable to put home the rebound but it is eventually scrambled in by Seraina Piubel, who thrashes it past Olivia Davies-McDaniel to put Switzerland in a commanding position.

Women’s World Cup: England captain Millie Bright fit to start

07:11 , Jamie Braidwood

England captain Millie Bright is fit to start tomorrow’s opening game against Haiti, Sarina Wiegman has confirmed.

The centre-back has not played a full match since March after undergoing knee surgery but has made a full recovery in time for England’s first game of the World Cup.

The Lionesses have a fully-fit squad ahead of playing Haiti and Wiegman said Bright is “absolutely” ready to start.

“We’re happy,” Wiegman said. “This was the plan. The plan worked and Millie is ready to play.”

HALF TIME! Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 1-0 Philippines

06:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Bachmann’s penalty is the difference at the break, after the fourth spot-kick in as many games at this World Cup so far.

Philippines have been competitive on their first ever World Cup match, and were denied the opening goal by a clear offside.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 1-0 Philippines

06:48 , Jamie Braidwood

The penalty is converted by Ramona Bachmann, who has probably been the best player on the pitch so far. It’s harsh on Philippines, but Switzerland had started to increase the pressure and the goal did feel like it was coming.

PENALTY! Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 0-0 Philippines

06:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Four matches at the World Cup, four penalties!

This time Switzerland have one, after Jessika Cowart catches Coumba Sow in the box with a late challenge. Was it enough to award the penalty? For me, no.

Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 0-0 Philippines

06:39 , Jamie Braidwood

CHANCE! Switzerland are getting closer. Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic lifts a golden chance over the crossbar from six yards after a low ball across the face of goal. Switzerland are starting to get round the sides of the Philippines, who are hanging in there.

England make decision on armbands for Women’s World Cup matches

06:30 , Jamie Braidwood

England captain Millie Bright will wear armbands advocating for inclusion, Indigenous People and gender equality in the Lionesses’ respective first three World Cup matches, the FA has confirmed.

Players have the choice of wearing one or more of eight FIFA-sanctioned armbands at this tournament, but not the rainbow OneLove design that sparked the threat of sanctions being issued to countries – including England and Wales – during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar.

Should the Lionesses progress past the group stage, which begins with Saturday’s opener against Haiti, the player-led decision is for their skipper to switch out her armband to a new cause for each match.

Bright said: “As a group, we felt really strongly about all the causes, and we couldn’t separate one from the other. We feel that they are all important and deserve recognition and our support.

“We have only just come to a decision recently as we wanted to take time to process it all and to make sure we spoke collectively.”

England make decision on armbands for Women’s World Cup matches

NO GOAL! Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 0-0 Philippines

06:19 , Jamie Braidwood

WHAT A MOMENT FOR THE PHILIPPINES! But no! It’s denied by the offside flag!

They thought they had taken the lead against Switzerland, as Katrina Guillou latched onto a long ball, rounded the goalkeeper and finished into the net!

But Guillou went too early, and the offside flag eventually goes up.

Still 0-0.

Women’s World Cup: Switzerland vs Philippines

06:06 , Jamie Braidwood

We’re underway in Dunedin as Switzerland face World Cup debutants Philippines in Group A - which is wide open following New Zealand’s win over Norway yesterday.

Here’s how you can watch every World Cup game in the UK.

What channel is the Women’s World Cup on? How to watch every match

Women’s World Cup 2023: Canada 0-0 Nigeria

06:01 , Jamie Braidwood

There was a red card later in the game for Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun for this tackle on Ashley Lawrence. Fortunately Lawrence seemed to escape a serious injury.

Women’s World Cup 2023: Canada 0-0 Nigeria

05:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Here’s the moment Chiamaka Nnadozie denied Canada and Christine Sinclair.

What a save!

Women’s World Cup 2023: Canada 0-0 Nigeria

05:57 , Jamie Braidwood

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie helped Nigeria secure a valuable 0-0 draw against Olympic champions Canada in their Women’s World Cup opener on Friday in a result that threw their group wide open.

Nnadozie saved a penalty in the 50th minute at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, denying Christine Sinclair from the spot with a leap low to her left as the Canada skipper missed out on becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.

The teams were left with a point each, trailing Group B leaders Australia by two following the co-hosts’ 1-0 win over Ireland on Thursday.

Both sides had their chances but Sinclair, who came off in the 70th minute, was perhaps the most frustrated, having also missed a good opportunity when she fired wide in the ninth minute.

Nigeria barely breached the final third in the second half but defended desperately to hold the Canadians out to the finish.

After the final whistle, Nnadozie slumped to her knees and pumped her fists while roaring in celebration.

Nigeria’s joy was tempered by a red card handed out to midfielder Deborah Abiodun deep in stoppage time. She will miss their next game against Australia.

Reuters

Good morning!

05:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Day two of the Women’s World Cup is here - and we already have our first result of the day.

Christine Sinclair missed a penalty and the chance to make World Cup history as Olympic champions Canada were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria on Friday.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie secured a valuable point for Nigeria, leaving Group B wide open, as she saved Sinclair’s penalty in the 50th minute at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Sinclair is bidding to become the first player to score in six World Cups.

It means both teams trail Group B leaders Australia after Steph Catley’s penalty earned the co-hosts a narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland on the opening day. New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup win, at their 16th attempt, as Hannah Wilkinson’s goal shocked group favourites Norway at a sold-out Eden Park.

Day two sees Switzerland take on World Cup debutants Philippines before Spain face Costa Rica in the opening match of Group C.

Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog