The 2015 World Cup hosts Canada are in action on Friday as they take on Nigeria in Group B, with Spain and Costa Rica going toe-to-toe with one another to open Group C. Elsewhere, the Philippines host Switzerland in Group A. There are some interesting battles coming your way on day two of the World Cup, here is all you need to know about them.
Where: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
When: 3:30am (BST)/ 12:30pm (AEST)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)
Last meeting: Canada 2-2 Nigeria (Friendly, 2022)
Nigeria’s last five: 1-0 loss v Mexico, 1-0 loss v Colombia, 1-0 win v Costa Rica, 2-1 win v Haiti, 3-0 win v New Zealand
Nigeria’s World Cup record: Nigeria have featured at all eight World Cup finals to date with their best performance coming in 1999 when they reached the quarter-finals. Total Games: 26, Won 4, Drawn 3, Lost 19. Win percentage: 15%
Canada’s last five: 2-1 loss v France, 3-0 loss v Japan, 2-0 win v Brazil, 2-0 loss v USA, 1-0 loss v USA
Canada’s World Cup record: Canada has featured in the last seven World Cup finals and their fourth-place finish in 2003 is their best on record to date. Total Games: 27, Won 8, Drawn 5, Lost 14. Win percentage: 30%
Both these teams are familiar with the World Cup finals but neither have really been able to stake a huge claim, at least consistently in Canada’s case, to become the world champions. Nigeria will set their sights on surpassing their achievement in 1999 and Betfred have them priced at 8/1 to win their opener.
Betfred odds: Nigeria 8/1, Canada 1/4, draw 4/1
Sportsman stat: Nigeria are unbeaten in their two previous meetings with Canada at the World Cup (W1 D1), winning the most recent one 1-0 in 2011.
Philippines v Switzerland - Group A
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
When: 6am (BST)/ 5pm (NZST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: Vincentia Amedome (Togo)
Last meeting: N/A
Philippines’ last five: 2-1 win v Vietnam, 1-0 win v Malaysia, 1-0 loss v Myanmar, 4-0 win v Hong Kong, 8-0 win v Tajikistan
Philippines’ World Cup record: This is the Philippines first appearance at the World Cup finals
Switzerland’s last five: 0-0 draw v Morocco, 3-3 draw v Zambia, 2-1 loss v Iceland, 0-0 draw v China, 1-1 draw v Poland
Switzerland’s World Cup record: Switzerland have only made it to the World Cup finals once previously. This was back in 2015 and they made it to the round of 16 despite only winning one game. Total Games: 4, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 3. Win percentage: 25%
The Philippines will be relishing the opportunity to take part in their first World Cup finals and they will be wanting to show the world what they can do on this stage. As for Switzerland, they will be hoping that their previous experience in 2015 can serve them well this time around but they will need to improve their results if they are to reach the knockout stages this year.
Betfred odds: Philippines 12/1, Switzerland 1/7, draw
Sportsman stat: China are the only previous team from the AFC confederation to win their first ever game at the World Cup (4-0 v Norway, 1991)
Spain v Costa Rica - Group C
Where: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
When: 8:30am (BST)/ 7:30pm (NZST)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)
Last meeting: Spain 1-1 Costa Rica (World Cup 2015)
Spain’s last five: 9-0 win v Vietnam, 2-0 win v Denmark, 7-0 win v Panama, 3-0 win v China, 4-2 win v Norway
Spain’s World Cup record: Spain have contestested in the past two World Cup finals and their best performance was four years ago when they reached the round of 16 in France. Total Games: 7, Won 1, Drawn 2, Lost 4. Win percentage: 14%
Costa Rica’s last five: 2-0 loss v South Africa, 2-0 win v Haiti, 2-1 loss v Guatemala, 4-0 loss v Venezuela, 4-0 loss v Scotland
Costa Rica’s World Cup record: Costa Rica’s only previous World Cup finals appearance came in 2015 where they were eliminated at the group stage. Total Games: 3, Won 0, Drawn 2, Lost 1. Win percentage: 0%
Both these teams have experience of playing at the World Cup finals and are both hoping to surpass their previous campaigns on this stage. Many are interested to see whether Spain have what it takes to become World Cup champions. Spain will be looking to two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas to inspire them in Australia and New Zealand.
Betfred odds: Spain 1/125, Costa Rica 28/1, Draw 25/1
Sportsman stat: Only Canada (63.3%) had a better possession than Spain (61.2%) at the 2019 World Cup.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
