Esmee Brugts announced herself on the biggest stage as a devastating onslaught saw the Netherlands blow Vietnam away 7-0 and cement their place at the top of Group E. 

Goals from Netherlands’ ruthless attack by Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeljs, Jill Roord, Danielle van de Donk and two wonder goals from Brugts saw Andries Jonker's side bypass USA and Portugal in the group.

he seven goal deficit in 41 attempts at goal is the highest in the World Cup so far. 

Netherlands needed a three goal margin to ensure they’d be group winners and took the lead after seven minutes through Martens.

Martens scored her 60th international goal courtesy of a looped finish over the Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh following a pin point long ball by Dominique Janssen.

Three minutes later, Katja Snoeijs was completely free in the box after being played in by Danielle van de Donk and the Dutch number nine slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Esmee Brugts made it three as she curled the ball beautifully into the corner with a lofted finish from 25 yards out.

Netherlands’ total dominance continued with further opportunities for their front three and Jill Roord tapped in after Dominique Janseen skipped past three players down the left on her 100th cap and flowed in a lovely ball for the unmarked Manchester City new signing. 

On the stroke of half time, Netherlands made it five as van de Donk tapped into an empty net after Thanh’s initial save from close range to deny Jill Roord.

Netherlands kept coming in the second stanza and Brugts produced a carbon copy of her effort in the first half.

Brugts once again curled a beautiful shot with her right foot from outside the box into the top corner. 

Martens appeared to have scored Netherlands seventh but the striker was ruled offside.

However, Janssen put a free kick into the box and a cushion header led to Roord heading home for her second and the Netherlands seventh goal.

Netherlands will be in action on Saturday in the last 16 while Vietnam’s first ever World Cup is over. 

Switzerland ensured their progression to the second round of the Women's World Cup after drawing 0-0 with co-hosts New Zealand, thus eliminating them from the tournament.

Despite the crowd against them, it was Switzerland who started the better through Ramona Bachmann who had a great long range shot blocked in what was an early sign of pressure from the Barcelona striker.

From here however, New Zealand took control of the half, playing some inspired football in front of a raucous home crowd. On twenty minutes, Heather Bowen managed to put Rebekah Scott who despite causing consternation for the Swiss defence, was unable to capitalise on the chance.

The Ferns got even closer four minutes later when a great run from Jaqui Hand ended in her half volley hitting the post with the hosts looking dangerous everytime they entered the Swiss half.

Despite being second best for much of the half, Switzerland did look dangerous through the ever present Eseosa Aigbogun in attack while Seraina Piubel put in a committed performance in midfield.

And whatever about their first half performance, Inka Grings's side were a different side in the second half. Algobogun had a great chance minutes after the interval but took too much out of the ball before getting a shot away.

There was also a couple of nervous moments on the hour mark for Kiwi goalkeeper Victoria Esson who was lucky not to have Pieubel score after a botched punch.

At the other end Hannah Wilkinson was unlucky not to make the breakthrough and was only denied by a great tackle from Nadine Reisen.

With New Zealand needing a goal to go through as a result of Norway winning, that left the Ferns open at the back and were lucky not to concede when Bachmann found herself in acres of space but the so desperate defending prevented the chance.

New Zealand to their credit, battled to the end in their desperate search for the crucial goal which would see them through. None was forthcoming however as Switzerland progress along with Norway out of Group A.

Full Time in Dunedin this morning where it has finished 2-2 between Argentina and South Africa in what was a captivating game in which Argentina produced a wonderful comeback from 2-0 down to earn themselves a point in dramatic fashion.

Despite suffering a major set-back in the 20^th minute having lost their captain Refiloe Jane, South African produced a wonderful performance throughout the first half to lead Argentina by a goal to nil at half time.

It was an opening half of few clear-cut chances, but South Africa certainly had the better of the efforts. There were early signs of nerves within both sides from set pieces, as both goalkeepers struggled to be commanding in their respective boxes.

Firstly, in the 16^th minute, Kaylin Swart in the South African net was very uncomfortable when she came to claim a dangerous corner from Argentina’s Estefanía Banini. Luckily, however, Swart’s teammates swarmed around the ball and cleared the danger. Just one minute later, Vanina Correa produced a carbon copy of the error Swart had made just seconds earlier. Again, she was saved by the presence of her defenders.

South African captain Refiloe Jane was carried off the pitch in a stretcher following a mid-air collision with Argentina’s Miriam Mayorga and looked to have landed uncomfortably on her knee. It looks as if it might be a cruciate injury for the skipper, which would be a real blow for Banyana Banyana.

From her departure, South Africa put Argentina under immense pressure and broke the deadlock in the 32^nd minute, thanks to the helping hand of VAR. Jermaine Seoposenwe produced a perfectly timed pass to Thembi Kgatlana down the right wing, who was met with an Argentinian defence who had tried to execute an offside trap.

Mayorga was too late in trying to catch the winger offside, and Kgatlana found herself in acres of space in a two-on-one situation, with teammate Lina Motlhalo running a perfect supporting line. Kgatlana was able to draw in Correa, before passing to Motllhalo on her right for the easiest goal she will ever score.

South Africa were brilliant in the opening half, and had put the ball into the back of the net for a second time in the sixth minute of stoppage time, however this time Motlhalo was offside in the build-up before she then passed to Kgatlana, whose goal wouldn’t count.

After the break, South Africa had a wonderful chance to double their advantage. Seoposenwe put in a great effort to win the ball back in a dangerous position up the pitch before putting the ball on a plate for Kgatlana as she squared it to her teammate inside the six-yard box. Kgatlana’s effort drifted wide of the post, much to the disbelief of her, her teammates and the South African fans in the stadium.

Kgatlana would make amends for her earlier miss by doubling South Africa’s lead in the 65^th minute. Jermaine Seoposenwe carried out her defensive duties high up the pitch, and put Aldane Cometti under serious pressure inside her own half. The winger won the ball back and drove towards the Argentinian by-line, before squaring the ball again to Kgatlana, who would not miss this time.

Argentina reacted  well to the second goal, and responded in emphatic fashion through a wonderful goal from Sophia Braun, who capitalized on a poor clearance from South Africa. Braun found herself on the edge of the box in acres of space, and was able to set herself for the shot. She struck the ball on the half-volley from 25 yards out, and the ball rocketed into the top-right-hand corner, leaving Swart with no hope of saving the shot.

The goal sparked Argentina into life, and they immediately put South Africa under immense pressure for the remainder of the game. The momentum had swung completely, and Argentina were well and truly in the ascendency. Five minutes after Braun’s wonder-strike, Argentina equalized through substitute Romina Nunez. Nunez was found by fellow substitute Yamila Rodriguez, who whipped an excellent cross into the South African box, where it was met by a wonderful glancing header from Nunez that nestled into the bottom left-hand corner.

It was a remarkable period for Argentina, who looked dead and buried with twenty minutes to play. They completed an excellent comeback, and arguably could have gone on to win this game, but South Africa just managed to hold out for the draw.

This has to be one of the games of the tournament so far; South Africa played brilliantly for the opening 65 minutes and looked to be in complete control, but Argentina produced some magic in the final 20 minutes to earn themselves a point in dramatic fashion.

Full Time in Dunedin, Argentina 2-2 South Africa

Quickfire goals from Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino set Japan on the path to a second Group C victory over Costa Rica in Dunedin this morning, the result likely putting Japan through to the knockout rounds whilst eliminating Costa Rica.

Japan were looking to put one foot in the last sixteen with victory here and Mina Tanaka planted a seventh minute header wide as they started strongly.

Costa Rican, goalkeeper, Daniela Solera, who impressed against Spain, did well to save Japan captain’s Saki Kumagai emphatic header.

Their clearest chance came and went in the fifteenth minute when Hikaru Naomoto saw Solera save her shot, the loose ball coming to Risa Shimizu only to see teammate Tanaka accidentally block her shot.

Yet that proved foreshadowing ten minutes later when Naomoto found herself in the same space down the left and this time she beat Solera with a sweet strike.

Moments later, it was two with teenager Aoba Fujino sending a fiery strike in which beat Solera at the near post as Costa Rica’s morale, again, took two quick and heavy blows.

That takes Japan’s goal scorers tally to six different players, ominous for any upcoming opponents given three of four goal scorers against Zambia began on the bench this morning, the depth of their squad quality on show for all to see.

Despite Costa Rica being able to call upon top scorer, Raquel Rodriguez, midway through the second half, it was Japan who looked likelier to add a third as Solera saved from Tanaka.

Japan’s fitness and quality of press kept Amelia Valverde’s Costa Rica firmly penned in as Japan’s World Cup experience showed, managing the match effectively to, unofficially, seal a knockout place.

Both sides now must refresh and prepare for their final group C games on Monday, Japan set for a mouthwatering clash with Spain. 

Costa Rica will aim to collect a first World Cup win against tournament debutants, Zambia, and will hope Rodriguez can get a full runout to fully showcase their quality.

Stefanie van der Gragt’s first half header was the difference between the sides, as the Oranje Machine recorded a win in their opening encounter against Portugal.

Three separate World Cup appearances and now three wins in each of their opening ties, a game that lacked a lot of real total football, just a slim margin between them but the Dutch will be happy with the points.

Portugal looked strong but Ines Pereira was the busier of the keepers, it took 81 minutes for the debutants to force Dutch shot stopper Daphne van Domselaar, as they just lacked that killer touch.

It took a bit of time for the game to open, but the Netherlands did press well and started to get some chances, Portugal goalkeeper Inês Pereira was off her line quick to deal with a through ball, before Lineth Beerensteyn was caught narrowly offside.

After 11 minutes they had their best chance as Lineth Beerensteyn had an effort on goal, but for a vital interception by Carole Cosa sent it for a corner, Sherida Spitse took it from the right and Stefanie van der Gragt nodded home the corner.

However, the assistant had the flag up, Jill Roord was standing in an offside position as van der Gragt powered the header toward the net, also looked like she was blocking the goalkeeper, but after a lengthy VAR review of the goal, it was given.

Confidence was fully with the Oranje Machine and they should have doubled the lead after 24 minutes, Spitse again with a corner, this time the opposite side, Roord headed over when it looked easier to score, a massive let off for Portugal, as Roord looked annoyed in herself.

Pressure remained on the Portuguese, set pieces were dangerous as Spitse was delivering them into the area, Pereira the busier of the two keepers but she was alert, Lieke Martens went for goal from distance, her effort deflected and trickled through to waiting gloves of Inês Pereira in the Portuguese goal, before she had a then save a weak header from De Donk.

Portugal were aggressive, committing eight fouls in the opening half, the Dutch leading at the break, a stat that in their previous seven World Cup ties when they took the lead, they never came out on the losing side, a good omen going into the interval.

Into the second half and the Netherlands again started well, a great chance coming early on, Lineth Beerensteyn maybe took too long to try and play a pass, but De Donk peeled off and made a run behind her, she was played through on goal but Pereira saved well, she was doing her best to keep it at 1-0.

While at the other end, Portugal were trying to create chances, but Jessica Silva was a bit isolated up front, she however had a great chance in the 56th minute as she raced clear, but a timely intervention from van der Gragt stopped the chance.

As we neared the hour mark, Portugal were playing with a lot more purpose, the Dutch lead was slim and a speculative effort from Beerensteyn was not going in to increase it, but the underdogs still were causing threat, Tatiana Pinto crossing into the box, but the Dutch defence tall and strong to deal with those all day.

Another piece of of defensive brilliance from van der Gragt stopped Jessicia Silva in her tracks, a great tackle tinned to perfection to stop the danger of a shot on target, Telma Encarnacao forced Daphne van Domselaar into a save shortly after coming on in the final ten minutes, a first save of the evening for the Dutch keeper.

The final minutes had little to no real spells of action, the Dutch in control, Portugal unable to find that killer pass to force an equaliser, the Dutch side held on holding the ball to kill the clock and ensure three points in their first game.

Switzerland began their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over debutants the Philippines in Dunedin this morning.

Ramona Bachman's penalty on the stroke of half time opened the scoring for the Swiss before an intense dominant second half performance saw them create chances, before Seraina Piubel doubled their lead with a close-range effort in the 64th minute.

The result moves Switzerland to take top spot of Group A, above co-hosts New Zealand on goal difference.

Chances came and went early on, Jessika Cowart had a header for the Philippines Women in the opening minutes, but that effort went wide of the goal, while for Switzerland Géraldine Reuteler, had a right footed shot from outside the box that was too high to test the target.

It took until the quarter of an hour mark for the next real chance to arrive, Reuteler latched onto a great through ball but couldn't loft the ball over the advancing Philippines keeper, less than 60 seconds later however, Katrina Guillou thought she had opened the scoring for the Philippines, but her excellent finish was ruled out because of an offside by the striker in the buildup to the opportunity.

With 24 minutes gone, it was looking even between the sides, but the Swiss were looking dangerous, notably Reuteler who was having chances, she was posing the biggest threat for the Swiss, a slalom run through the Philippines rear guard brought a decent stop from Olivia McDaniel.

At the half hour mark, it was another close call for the Swiss as Ana Maria Crnogorcevicjust couldn’t reach a cross and McDaniel gathered for the Philippines, Crnogorcevic six minutes later, failed to add to her tally of 71 international goals with a close range effort that went just over the bar. A fantastic opportunity for the Swiss who were really beginning to take control of this clash.

Right on the stroke of half time, Coumba Sow drew a foul in the penalty area from Jessika Cowart, another game, another VAR check for a potential penalty, we've had a spot kick in each game so far, but only one has been converted, make that two, as Ramona Bachmann stood up and rolled it into the bottom corner for the lead.

Into the second half and Switzerland had been entirely dominant, as the Philippines struggled to get any time on the ball at all, a first chance coming on the hour mark, Bachmann not adding to her first half strike as her effort went comfortably over the bar.

Five minutes later the pressure counted and the Swiss doubled their lead, Seraina Piubel applying the finish to score her first competitive goal for the Swiss national side, but it took about four efforts to beat McDaniel in the Philippines goal.

Switzerland kept up the pressure and remained on the front foot, looking for their third goal but were unable to add to the tally, while the Philippines struggled to pull one back and make it a nervy end to the tie.