The Philippines stun co-host New Zealand 1-0 to earn first ever Women’s World Cup win

Women’s World Cup 2023: Live scores, fixtures, results, tables and top scorers

The Philippines stunned New Zealand 1-0 to earn its first ever Women’s World Cup victory on Tuesday off California-born Sarina Bolden’s 24th-minute goal.

Bolden’s first-half header was the country’s first ever goal in the competition’s history.

The World Cup co-host looked to have earned itself a route back into the game midway through the second half when Jacqui Hand’s looping header floated over a despairing Olivia McDaniel in goal, but it was later ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) for offside.

The World Cup debutant was able to withstand New Zealand pressure, including a truly remarkable diving save from McDaniel in added time at the end of the game, to earn a historic victory, sparking scenes of jubilant celebrations.

“I literally can’t put it into words,” Bolden said afterwards. “This has been a dream of mine as a little kid to just be here at the World Cup, let alone even score.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, the staff, the fans, the Philippines as a whole. It’s just amazing right now to feel this win and this energy in this stadium right now, so it’s just amazing.”

Philippines midfielder Quinley Quezada passes the ball next to New Zealand midfielder Katie Bowen.

In a finely-poised Group A, the Philippines – after becoming the first of the debutant teams to win at the 2023 Women’s World Cup – now has an opportunity to make yet further history by reaching the knockout phases with one group game remaining.

Members of the Philippines Women's World Cup team walk to their team bus following a shooting near their hotel in the central business district in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023. A gunman killed two people before he died Thursday at a construction site in Auckland, as the nation prepared to host games in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer tournament.(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

US diaspora helps Philippines make World Cup history with country's first ever appearance

It is a memorable moment for the country, many of whose players are US-born and ply their trade around the world.

Chief amongst those is Bolden, who was born in Santa Clara, California, and plays for Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australian A-League.

Before joining the national team, Bolden – who qualifies to represent both the US and the Philippines – had never been to the Asian nation. Now, she’s one of the team’s most recognizable stars.

“Everyone’s really excited for what’s to come and to really shock the world,” she told CNN ahead of the Women’s World Cup.

“I know soccer isn’t the main sport in the Philippines… But I think by seeing us on the big screen, on the big stage, I think more people are going to be really interested and want to get into soccer.”

Spanish players celebrate after winning the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, August 20.

Spain's Eva Navarro celebrates with the Women's World Cup trophy.

Spanish players celebrate with the trophy during the post-match award ceremony.

Players from Spain and England react after the final whistle.

Fans cheer for Spain during a broadcast of match in Barcelona.

England captain Millie Bright looks dejected after the match. "We gave everything," she said. "First half we weren't at our best but second half we bounced back. ... We just didn't have that final edge today."

Players embrace at the end of the match.

Spanish coach Jorge Vilda reacts as England's Lucy Bronze, left, and Spain's Mariona Caldentey compete for the ball in the second half of the final.

English goalkeeper Mary Earps saves a Jennifer Hermoso penalty during the second half.

Members of the 1972 England team react while watching a live broadcast together in London.

Spain's Salma Paralluelo (No. 18) received a yellow card from referee Tori Penso after England's Alex Greenwood was hurt on a play in the second half.

Spanish fans celebrate as the teams leave the field at halftime.

Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates after she scored with a left-footed shot in the 29th minute.

A shot from England's Lauren Hemp hits the crossbar in the first half.

Paralluelo, left, competes for the ball with Greenwood.

England fans cheer on the Lionesses in Sydney.

Earps makes a save in the first half.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King walks onto the pitch ahead of the final.

Players stand for the national anthems before the final.

Paralluelo huddles with teammates before the match.

A closing ceremony took place before the final.

Swedish players celebrate after defeating Australia 2-0 in the third-place playoff on Saturday, August 19. Sweden also finished third in 1991, 1995 and 2019.

Australia fans in Brisbane show their support for their team following the loss to Sweden.

Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against Australia.

Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Australia's Hayley Raso compete for the ball.

Sweden fans show support outside the stadium before the third-place playoff match.

Rolfo converts a penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Australia.

England players celebrate after their 3-1 victory over Australia booked a spot in the final.

Australian star Sam Kerr did everything she could to carry the Matildas, but it wasn't enough as her team fell 3-1 to England in the semifinals.

Australia fans react in the stadium as their team falls behind late in the semifinal.

England's Alessia Russo celebrates scoring the Lionesses' third goal to seal the victory against Australia.

English goalkeeper Mary Earps dives in vain to stop Kerr's rocket from distance — arguably the goal of the tournament.

English midfielder Ella Toone scores the opener against Australia.

English defender Alex Greenwood, left, battles Kerr for the ball.

Salma Paralluelo, left, celebrates with teammates after Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday, August 15.

Swedish players are dejected following the 2-1 loss to Spain.

Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo jumps for a header with Spain's Alexia Putellas.

Spain fans watch the semifinal inside Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

A performer dances before the semifinal between Spain and Sweden.

Alessia Russo, bottom, celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the 2-1 over Colombia in the quarterfinals on August 12.

Colombia's Catalina Usme and Daniela Arias are dejected after the loss to England.

England's Lauren Hemp, left, and Colombia's Ana Guzman fight for the ball.

England's Chloe Kelly controls the ball.

Leicy Santos celebrates her goal that gave Colombia a 1-0 lead against England.

Australian players celebrate after winning a dramatic penalty shootout against France on August 12. The shootout was decided on the 20th kick.

French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin punches the ball away during the quarterfinal match against Australia.

Australia fans show their support at Brisbane Stadium.

Australia's Mary Fowler controls the ball between France's Sakina Karchaoui and Wendie Renard.

French players are dejected after the match against Australia.

Sweden's Filippa Angeldal, second right, celebrates after scoring a penalty against Japan on Friday, August 11. Sweden won 2-1 to book a spot in the semifinals.

Japanese players react following the loss to Sweden.

Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores the first goal of the quarterfinal match against Japan.

Japan's Risa Shimizu dribbles the ball during the match against Sweden.

Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani talks to her teammates prior to playing Japan.

Spain's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring in extra time during the quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands on August 11. It ended up being the winning goal as Spain advanced with a 2-1 victory.

Esmee Brugts of the Netherlands goes for a header against Spain.

Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll and defender Olga Carmona watch as a shot from the Netherlands' Lineth Beerensteyn goes wide during extra time.

Spain's Jennifer Hermoso celebrates the victory over the Netherlands.

France's Selma Bacha, left, and Élisa De Almeida celebrate after a 4-0 victory against Morocco in the round of 16.

Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is consoled by France's Estelle Cascarino after the match.

France's Eugénie Le Sommer heads the ball for her team's fourth goal — and her second of the match — against Morocco.

Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak and France's Sandie Toletti compete for the ball.

French midfielder Kenza Dali, left, celebrates with teammate Kadidiatou Diani against Morocco.

Colombia's Daniela Arias celebrates with fans on August 8 after her team defeated Jamaica 1-0 to progress to the quarterfinals.

Catalina Usme celebrates after scoring Colombia's goal against Jamaica.

Jamaica's Kiki Van Zanten, left, and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball.

A Colombia fan soaks up the atmosphere before the match in Melbourne.

Jamaica's Jody Brown controls the ball next to Colombia's Diana Ospina Garcia.