Switzerland secured a 2-0 win over the Philippines in their opening World Cup fixture to put themselves top of Group A after the first round of games.
2023 Women's World Cup
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Match Report
Former Chelsea forward Ramona Bachmann put the Swiss national team ahead just before half-time from the penalty spot, while Seraina Piubel doubled their lead just after the hour mark.
The Philippines were playing their first ever match at the Women's World Cup, but face an uphill struggle to make the knockout phase with New Zealand and Norway also in the group.
Inka Grings' side were awarded a penalty by VAR after midfielder Coumba Sow was caught by a stray boot from Jessika Cowart in the box late in the first half, with forward Bachmann coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
"I wasn't that nervous, but I knew it was an important moment," Bachmann said afterwards.
"I knew that it would be important for our team to get to half-time with a 1-0 so I was really focused and I obviously tried to score, but I feel quite confident in shooting penalties. So I was really calm."
The Philippines, coached by former Matildas manager Alen Stajcic, made history as they became the first team from their country - male or female - to appear at the finals of a global football tournament.
And they were denied an early opener when midfielder Katrina Guillou's strike was ruled out for offside.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Switzerland's top goalscorer and most-capped player, fired over from close range before Bachmann's penalty put them ahead.
Switzerland dominated the second half and deservedly doubled their lead through midfielder Piubel, who smashed home in the 64th minute after McDaniel denied Crnogorcevic and Sow.
"If it's a VAR decision - from my understanding - it's supposed to be a clear and obvious error," Stajcic said of the penalty. "I didn't see the replay.
"There's no doubt they are the better team, and they should be. I was really proud of the spirit that our team showed. I think we showed that we can be competitive.
"To come to this level and play against players from Europe, against a team like that is miraculous."
There were plenty of empty seats in the 30,000-capacity stadium on Friday despite FIFA giving away 20,000 free tickets for games in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin amid concerns about the slow pace of sales in New Zealand.
Switzerland top Group A on goal difference ahead of co-hosts New Zealand, who upset Norway 1-0 on Thursday.
What is the schedule?
The group stage has begun and runs over a two-week period finishing on August 3. Group winners and runners-up progress to the round of 16, which takes place from August 5 to August 8.
The quarter-finals, which will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, are scheduled for August 11 and 12.
The first semi-final will then be played on August 15 in Auckland, with the other semi-final taking place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which will then host the final on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
Line-ups
Philippines XI: H. Long, S. Bolden, Q. Quezada, A. Beard, Katrina Guillou, Olivia McDaniel, Sofia Harrison, Jess Cowart, Sara Eggesvik, Jaclyn Sawicki, Alicia Balicoco Barker
Subs: T. Annis, R. Bugay, Malea Louise Cesar, Dominique Randle, Chandler Mcdaniel, Anicka Castaneda, Isabella Flanigan, Carleigh Frilles, Kiara Fontanilla, Reina Gabriela Bonta, Kaiya Rose Jota, Meryll Abrahamsen
Switzerland XI: R. Bachmann, G. Thalmann, A. Crnogorčević, L. Wälti, N. Maritz, E. Aigbogun, J. Stierli, G. Reuteler, L. Bühler, C. Sow, Seraina Piubel
Subs: F. Humm, M. Terchoun, S. Friedli, V. Calligaris, S. Mauron, A. Lehmann, M. Rey, L. Marti, Livia Peng, Nadine Riesen, Laura Felber, Amira Arfaoui