The recipe for Philippines' historic first FIFA Women's World Cup win? Adventure, a touch of luck and sheer desire - ESPN

History has been made.

On their tournament debut, in just their second outing on the biggest stage football has to offer, Philippines have a first FIFA Women's World Cup victory.

Sarina Bolden's name is the one that will be written in the history books as she climbed highest inside the New Zealand box and forced a powerful header past Victoria Esson in the 28th minute for what proved to be the decisive moment in a 1-0 win for Philippines.

But there were heroines all over the park.

And these indomitable Filipinas had the right recipe at their disposal to whip up a World Cup upset for the ages.

The first ingredient?

Adventure. And credit for that one has to go to coach Alen Stajcic.

Having opted for a cautious 5-3-2 in the 2-0 loss to Switzerland in their Group A opener, the Australian tactician deployed his charges in a traditional 4-4-2 this time around.

Granted, formations are not always a direct representation of a team's approach. A 5-3-2 can easily transition to a 3-4-3 in play.

Physically, they are just positions that players have been instructed to take on the field after visualization from magnets on a whiteboard.

But mentally, it can sometimes make all the difference. A subliminal idea that, on this day, the intent is one of attack.

That certainly looked to be more of the case than it did against the Swiss from the opening whistle on Tuesday.

Then, there was the desire — and that was the most crucial factor behind Philippines' triumph.

Through sheer industry two minutes before the half-hour mark, Sara Eggesvik chased down the ball to keep play alive, after a freekick delivery from the right had been half cleared, before hanging it back into the area.

And showing endeavour in equal measure, Bolden decided that