Former Matildas coach leads the Philippines to the BIGGEST upset of the World Cup as the first-time qualifiers beat New Zealand 1-0 and stunned the crowd in Wellington

New Zealand’s dream of winning the Women’s World Cup was turned on its head by the Philippines’ historic first win at the tournament.

After the euphoria of an opening win against Norway, the Football Ferns came back to earth with a 1-0 defeat in Wellington on Tuesday at the hands of the first-time qualifier, coached by former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

Sarina Bolden will go down in history as the first Filipino goalscorer at a men’s or women’s World Cup, scoring a powerful header in the first half to win the game.

A resurgent New Zealand thought they had equalized when Jacqui Hand netted a header from a loop, but Hannah Wilkinson was just barely offside in the run-up.

The goal was ruled void due to a VAR review more than a minute after wild celebrations which burst the Kiwis’ balloon.

Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ first goal of the Women’s World Cup in a 1-0 win over co-hosts New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday

Former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic celebrates historic victory in Wellington

Olivia McDaniel then made the save of a lifetime, jumping deep left to parry Grace Jale’s volley to secure the Philippines victory.

New Zealand had the best physical encounter but could not find a rhythm in the face of the Philippines’ stubborn defense.

Bolden punished the New Zealanders in the 24th minute by passing Rebekah Stott and heading Sara Eggesvik’s cross straight to Vic Esson with such force that the Rangers keeper fumbled it into the net.

The goal was a Filipino debut with Western Sydney flair: where coach Alen Stajcic grew up and goalscorer Bolden plays her club football for Wanderers.

Despite playing in enemy territory, the Philippines had ample support among the 32,357 crowd.

Olivia Chance and Annalie Longo were injected at half-time as the Ferns hoped for an equaliser.

Opening night hero Wilkinson, who was guilty of a nasty foul on Sofia Harrison in the first half, came close in the 58th minute when he caught CJ Bott’s cross in front of McDaniel but headed just wide.

Chance played a blinder and played an exceptional ball for hand that thundered his first shot against the post.

With the surprising victory, the World Cup debutants kept up their hopes of reaching the round of 16

New Zealand must do everything they can to qualify after losing in Wellington on Tuesday

In the 68th minute the Football Ferns thought their moment had come but the VAR stopped the celebration after Hand found the ball in the net.

From that point on, the die seemed to be cast and McDaniel proved it with her incredible fingertip save in added time.

That puts the Philippines on three points, level with New Zealand and Switzerland in Group A, with the Swiss taking on Norway in their second group stage game later on Tuesday.