A Canadian half-time sub here - Deanne Rose is replaced by Cloe Lacasse, who is joining Arsenal for next season.

Steph Catley's second-half penalty gave World Cup co-hosts Australia a 1-0 victory over debutants the Republic of Ireland in Sydney.

Catley, standing in as captain after Australia's star forward Sam Kerr suffered a calf injury on the eve of the game, converted the winner in the 52nd minute.

The Republic of Ireland frustrated the Matildas in the first half but their good work was undone when Marissa Sheva pushed Hayley Raso and Brazilian referee Edina Alves point to the spot.

Kerr, who is also set to miss Australia's second game with Nigeria, celebrated on the bench with her team-mates but was restrained as she nursed the injury which kept her out of her team's opener.

Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn all came close to what would have been a famous equaliser but the hosts held on to start their World Cup campaign with a win.

You can read Andy Gray's report from Stadium Australia here.

Image source, Getty Images

Co-hosts New Zealand opened the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup in stunning style against Norway as they won on the global stage for the first time.

On a memorable night in Auckland, the Football Ferns produced a huge upset after Hannah Wilkinson swept home Jacqui Hand's cross in front of an ecstatic crowd of 42,137 at Eden Park - a record for a football match in New Zealand.

Even Ria Percival's 89th-minute missed penalty, after a handball by Tuva Hansen, failed to dampen the celebrations.

Fans turned up in their tens of thousands to cheer their side who had failed to win any of their previous 15 World Cup games.

They were rewarded when Wilkinson broke the deadlock in the 48th minute to spark joyous scenes in the stands.

You can read Neil Johnston's match report from Eden Park here.

Image source, Getty Images

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport in Auckland

Image source, Rex Features

It's the morning after the night before in Auckland and New Zealand's Football Ferns are waking up to find themselves splashed all over television, websites as well as the front and back pages of newspapers.

A stunning 1-0 win over Norway by the co-hosts got the Women's World Cup off to a flying start.

'Ferns Savour Historic Victory' is a headline in the New Zealand Herald, external [subscription required], referring to the fact it was New Zealand's first win in 16 attempts at a World Cup.

The article adds: "More than an hour after the final whistle at Eden Park, Football Ferns co-captain Ali Riley was still wiping away tears [of joy]."

Meanwhile, New Zealand news website Stuff.co.nz, external adds: "The lead-up to this home World Cup may have been a hard watch at times, but the performance and result on Thursday night made up for all that had come before."

Let's take a look back to yesterday, when both of our co-hosts got their campaigns underway with hard-fought wins...

After winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, they are high hopes for Canada at this year’s World Cup. Our BBC News colleagues have been looking at whether they can go all the way in 2023. You can read all about it, by clicking this link.

Some shots from the first half action...

Image source, Getty

Image source, Gett

Image source, Getty Images

For the third successive match at the 2023 World Cup, the first half ends goalless.

Canada started the half well, but went off the boil as the 45 minutes progressed as Nigeria became more bold.

Much to consider for Christine Sinclair, Bev Priestman and co.

Chiamaka Nnadozie punches the first corner behind, so Canada get a second go.

This one is headed away.

Final moments of the first half, and Canada get a corner.

Two added minutes to come.

Adriana Leon does well to reach a ball on the left byline, and cut back a dangerous low cross into the six-yard area.

Nigeria keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie does equally well to spring forward and grab the ball through a crowd of legs.

There are 33 Fifa ranking places between these sides - Canada are seventh ranked team in the world.

40th-placed Nigeria are proving a match so far.

Scott Booth
Lewes FC manager on BBC Two

A real scary moment for Canada. It’s a real mix-up. A simple ball into the channel and they don’t deal with it. The goalkeeper misses it but Asisat Oshoala should have done better. It’s a tight angle but she should have tried to curl that one in.

Five minutes until half time, and still level pegging in Melbourne.

It's been a slow burner, feels like we haven't seen the best from either side just yet.

Almost a terrible moment for Sheridan!

A straightforward ball down the left wing from Nigeria should be comfortably cleared by the Canadian goalkeeper, however she totally misses the ball.

Asisat Oshoala gets to the ball but is out wide, and her shot from a tight angle is well blocked by Ashley Lawrence.

The Canadian defender hurts her ankle in the process, but is able to carry on.

Almost a terrible moment for Sheridan!

A straightforward ball down the left wing from Nigeria should be comfortably cleared by the Canadian goalkeeper, however she totally misses the ball.

Asisat Oshoala gets to the ball but is out wide, and her shot from a tight angle is well blocked by Ashley Lawrence.

The Canadian defender hurts her ankle in the process, but is able to carry on.

Another corner for Nigeria, this time not convincingly punched by Kailen Sheridan.

However, the follow up shot is well over the crossbar.

Nigeria corner, won by Ashleigh Plumptre off Jayde Riviere. The game has opened up now, and is more end to end.

The set piece is cleared.

Scott Booth
Lewes FC manager on BBC Two

So far I’ve been really impressed with Grosso in midfield. she’s been pulling all the strings in there.

Ashley Lawrence fires in a cross from the left, which Jordyn Huitema rises to head but she cannot guide it on target.

Canada frustrated so far.