The Short Corner’s proud to bring you Women’s World Cup coverage like never before. Throughout the World Cup, we’ll be exploring the captivating journeys of legendary icons and rising stars as the take the pitch on the world’s biggest stage.

Phillippines vs Switzerland (0-2)

The Swiss ladies, with the precision of a Swiss watch, kicked off their World Cup journey with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines, thanks to Ramona Bachmann's penalty and Seraina Piubel's close-range strike, souring the latter's debut. The Philippines, under the guidance of ex-Matildas manager Alen Stajcic, made history by being the first from their nation to grace the global soccer tournament, but their joy was short-lived as an early goal was ruled offside. Despite the stadium being as empty as a politician's promise, with FIFA giving away free tickets like hotcakes, Switzerland dominated the second half and topped Group A, leaving the co-hosts New Zealand in their wake.

Spain vs Costa Rica (3-0)

In the capricious Wellington weather, Spain's women began their World Cup journey with a poetic ballet of a match, thrashing Costa Rica 3-0, their fervor mirrored only by the downpour. Their attack, as relentless as a bull in Pamplona, resulted in an early own goal calamity for Costa Rica and two decisive strikes from the spirited duo, Bonmati and Gonzalez. Amid the symphony of rain, leather, and grass, Daniela Solera, Costa Rica's nimble-handed goalie, performed heroics worthy of a matador, saving a penalty, yet her efforts were to no avail against Spain's unyielding onslaught - like trying to stop a full-blooded Flamenco with a single castanet.

United States vs Vietnam (3-0)

With the confidence of a seasoned champion, the USWNT swept aside Vietnam in a game as predictable as the end of a Hemingway novel, but not without its twists. World Cup rookie Sophia Smith played a blinder, slipping two goals past Vietnam's keeper with the ease of a seasoned pro, showing the agility of a cat at a mouse party. The grand finale was provided by Horan who, with the poise of a comedian delivering the punchline, hammered a shot from 15 yards out, leaving the spectators in splits and the opponents in despair.

The USWNT is next scheduled to take on the Netherlands in group play. That game will take place Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET in the United States, which is 1 p.m. Thursday in Auckland, New Zealand. (We know the time difference can be super confusing)

Zambia 🟥 vs Japan (0-5)

In a match where Japan's dominance shone brighter than a standup comedian at an open mic, the former champions bulldozed Zambia 5-0, showing the African debutants how pass-and-move football is danced in World Cup. Hinata Miyazawa and Mina Tanaka played the melody, finding the net as effortlessly as a hot knife cuts through butter, with Tanaka's earlier efforts being waved off by VAR as prematurely celebratory confetti. Amidst this controlled chaos, Zambia's goalie Catherine Musonda saw red, and the Japanese delighted in the space behind the African defense, turning the football pitch into a grand kabuki play, with the curtain finally falling on a 5-0 scoreline.

England vs Haiti (1-0)

In a match teetering on the edge of the dramatic and the comical, Georgia Stanway did the football equivalent of a double take, converting a retaken penalty to grant England a narrow 1-0 triumph over World Cup debutants Haiti. While the Haitian goalie Kerly Theus danced prematurely off her line, Stanway shrugged off her initial miss with the calm assurance of a man walking into a bar for the second time because he forgot his hat. The young debutants from Haiti put on a valiant show, but England, with their fancy European champion title, held onto their lead tighter than a bullfighter gripping his red cape, and walked away with the three points, and the last laugh.

Denmark vs China (1-0)

In a game where accuracy was as elusive as a trout in a rushing stream, Denmark's Amalie Vangsgaard emerged as the late hero, nailing a powerful header at the 89th minute and handing the Danes a 1-0 victory over China on their first Women's World Cup outing since 2007. While the Chinese Dragons belched fire and threatened, the final product was more smoke and less flame, as they missed opportunities as wide as a fisherman's tall tales. Now, with their heads held high and a taste of victory on their tongues, Denmark sets their sights on the English Lionesses for a match that could well set the course for their journey in this tournament.

Player Spotlight - Sophia Smith

Sophia Olivia Smith, born August 10, 2000, found herself as comfortable on the soccer field as a duck on a pond, playing for Portland Thorns FC in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. With the confidence of a cat stalking a mouse, she strutted into the senior national team in March 2017 for two international friendlies against Russia and later, as a Stanford star, guided her team to a national title in 2019. 2020 saw her picked by the Thorns in the NWSL College Draft, as the top overall choice, an honor as bright as the North Star in a cloudless night sky.

A native of Fort Collins, Colorado, Smith had sports in her DNA, with her dad a University of Wyoming basketball player, and her sister, a basketball ace at the University of Northern Colorado. Her high school years were decorated with accolades, while her two-season stint at Stanford University saw her net 24 goals, including a heroic hat-trick during the 2019 College Cup that must've felt as sweet as honey on fresh biscuits. Her high flying college career paved the way for her entry into professional soccer with Portland Thorns FC, where she blossomed like a rose in full bloom.

The years 2022 and 2023 could easily be mistaken for an episode from a superhero series with Smith donning the cape of MVP in the Thorns' NWSL Championship victory and later unleashing a hat-trick against Kansas City Current that would have made any goalkeeper tremble like a leaf in the wind. On the international stage, she was a force to be reckoned with, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to represent the senior national team and later, in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Smith was instrumental in the USA's first match against Vietnam, being part of all three goals in their 3-0 victory - a performance that had 'Player of the Match' written all over it. Now that's what you call a real 'Smithsonian' exhibit!

Enjoying our updates from The Short Corner? We're a small newsletter with big dreams, and your support can make a huge difference! Share the joy of the Women's World Cup with your friends and family and help us grow our passionate soccer community.