In day four of the tournament, Sweden, the Netherlands and France were all in action…

Sweden leave it late

Two Chelsea players got their World Cup off to a winning start when Sweden beat South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand. It needed a dramatic ending to claim the three points with the deciding goal in a 2-1 victory coming in the 90th minute.

Zecira Musovic was in goal for the Swedes and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd also played the full game, and indeed it was the Chelsea winger whose dipping cross led to Sweden’s equaliser with 65 minutes played.

In the first half, it was South Africa who had the first attempt of note, a lob from long distance that landed on the roof of Musovic’s net. Sweden did most of the attacking after that but then found themselves behind shortly after the restart. Musovic initially parried a shot but Hildah Magaia was able to bundle the ball in from close range.

The highly ranked Swedes, who also featured former Chelsea defenders Magda Eriksson and Jonna Andersson, continued to come under threat on occasions and were therefore grateful when Rytting Kaneryd’s ball into the danger zone made its way into the net via a touch from Barcelona’s Frida Rolfo and a deflection off a defender.

The late winner on a rainy night came when Arsenal defender Amanda Ilestedt headed in a corner.

Narrow win for Dutch

Aniek Nouwen was an unused substitute for the Netherlands as they began with a deserved 1-0 win over European opposition. Nouwen, who spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, watched on as her team-mates beat World Cup newcomers Portugal 1-0. The goal was also a header for a corner, scored by Inter Milan player Stefanie van der Gragt. It was awarded after a VAR check that a team-mate had not interfered with the goalkeeper’s view from an offside position.

Another Blue on the bench

Eve Perisset sat through France’s group-stage opener having been named among the subs for a match against Jamaica. It ended in a 0-0 draw, a surprise result for the French who are ranked fifth in the world and were taking on the side 43rd. Jamaica earned their first World Cup point.

There was an incident-packed ending to the match, with France striker Kadidiatou Diani heading past former Chelsea goalie Becky Spencer (Drew Spence was also in the Jamaica side) but seeing her effort bounce off the crossbar. Then in the same 90th minute Jamaica had their captain, Man City’s Khadija Shaw, sent off.

What’s next?

Sweden are next in action on Saturday when they play Italy who are yet to begin their tournament. France’s second group game is also on Saturday. They take on Brazil. On Thursday the Dutch play the USA who were also victorious in their opening match.