Thailand pip Les Elephants

Thailand secured their first win in the FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating Cote d’Ivoire 3-2 at the Lansdowne Stadium, Ottawa.

The West African side, who lost 10-0 to Germany in their first group game, jumped to an early lead only to give away three goals before scoring a late consolation.

A scramble in the middle of Thailand’s penalty area and a couple of failed clearances allowed Ange Nguessan to score an acrobatic goal – Cote d’Ivoire’s first-ever goal at the Women’s World Cup – four minutes into the game.

But two first half goals from Orathai Srimanee gave Thailand a 2-1 lead going into the break. Substitute Thanatta Chawong scored a scrappy goal in the 75th minute to make it 3-1 for the Thai.

Josee Nahi set up a nervy finish after making it 3-2 with a solo run for the Ivorians.

Les Elephants hit the post for a third time in the game in the final minutes and could have equalised through Nguessan with the last kick of the game but Thailand held on to escape with the win.

Norway and Germany settled for a 1-1 draw in the group’s first game of the day.

The Scandinavian country equalised in the second half to force the dominant Germans to a draw, leaving the group top spot to the final matches.

The Germans found themselves ahead in the 6th minute after Dzsenifer Marozsan’s long-range effort was spilled by Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth and Anja Mittag was at hand to tap in the rebound.

But Maren Mjelde put Norway level in the 61st minute with a superb free kick on the edge of the penalty area.