Jul 20, 2023 at 10:59 Update: 2 days ago
New Zealand surprisingly dealt with Norway in the opening game of the World Cup on Thursday. The host country was 1-0 too strong for the Norwegians, who are considered outsiders for the title. The duel was overshadowed by the Auckland shooting.
After the opening ceremony and a minute’s silence due to the events in Auckland earlier on Thursday, the ball rolled for the first time this World Cup. New Zealand took the initiative from the first minute against Norway, which has a strong selection with top players Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Guro Reiten (Chelsea) and Caroline Graham Hansen (FC Barcelona).
The quarter-finalist of the previous World Cup was behind the times in the first half, while New Zealand, supported by the home crowd in Eden Park, created a number of chances. The players nevertheless went to the dressing room with a 0-0 score.
A few minutes after the break, New Zealand scored the first goal of this World Cup via a perfectly played counter. Jacqui Hand delivered the cross, after which Hannah Wilkinson tapped in convincingly. Indiah-Paige Riley looked set to double the score after an hour, but Aurora Mikalsen made a stunning save.
The New Zealand players were in ecstasy after their victory over Norway.Photo: Getty Images
First ever World Cup win
Norway was still close to the equalizer with a shot on the crossbar by Tuva Hansen. A few minutes later, New Zealand received a penalty after intervention by the VAR, but Ria Percival failed to finally close the game. Her shot from 11 yards hit the crossbar.
The Norwegians still had nine minutes of injury time for a final offensive. But despite efforts by Reiten and Hegerberg, they failed to avoid defeat. The victory means New Zealand’s first World Cup victory ever, after fifteen games in five global final tournaments.
Fellow host country Australia will start the World Cup on Thursday at noon with a match against Ireland, coached by Vera Pauw. The first game of the Dutch national team is scheduled for next Sunday at 9.30 a.m. against Portugal.
