New Zealand vs Norway
A day that started with tragedy ended in jubilation for New Zealand. After the nation woke up to the news of a mass shooting, and later the deaths of two people resulting from it, the mood was sombre in the build-up to the Women’s World Cup opener. The sombre mood continued during a low-key opening ceremony and a moment's silence to remember the victims of the fresh tragedy that was at the front of everyone's mind.
When the football finally started, the Football Ferns showed that pre-tournament form counted for nothing, as the unlikely hosts took it to a lacklustre Norwegian side. The contest did not reflect that chasm that exists between the two teams in their rankings, with New Zealand dominating the contest and creating the biggest chances of the first half.
The match followed the same pattern in the second half, with New Zealand experiencing a lot of joy on the right wing, and it was a move down the right started by goalkeeper Victoria Esson and finished by Hannah Wilkinson that gave New Zealand the lead and sent a nation into euphoria.
HANNAH WILKINSON SCORES FOR NEW ZEALAND! 🤩#FIFAWWC ⚽🏆 pic.twitter.com/wI2PnPD55j
— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) July 20, 2023
As the time ticked on, everyone was waiting for a Norway comeback that just did not eventuate. Ria Percival missed a penalty in the 88th minute, but it didn’t matter as New Zealand recorded their first-ever World Cup victory at their 16th attempt in front of 42,137 fans, the largest-ever crowd for a football match in New Zealand. History has been made and the sky is the limit for Jitka Klimková’s charges, whilst it is back to the drawing board for a flat and ultimately disappointing Norway.
Edge of the Crowd partners with Her Game Too for the Women's World Cup, uniting our passion for diversity and inclusivity in sports. Together, we aim to dismantle barriers, tackle sexism, and amplify women's voices in the sporting realm. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the beautiful game, free of gender constraints. The love for the game knows no gender; let's make every game, Her Game Too. Head to @HerGameToo on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more.
🏆 The @FIFAWWC is up and running! 🤩🎉
— Bristol Rovers CT (@BristolRoversCT) July 20, 2023
📈 So that means you need the obligatory #WorldCup2023 wallchart that our partners at @HerGameToo have produced 👌
ℹ️ You can download your copy by clicking below ⬇️https://t.co/RbgANQzZ5l#HerGameToo pic.twitter.com/WxxD1FJ84K
“I think there’ve been a lot of doubters because of the results we’ve had but we’ve believed," said New Zealand captain Ali Riley said post match.
“We believed in ourselves this entire game. We believed in ourselves from the very beginning and we showed it. We played with confidence and with poise.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: HANNAH WILKINSON (NZ) - It has to be. Scored the goal that gave her nation its first-ever World Cup victory.
NEW ZEALAND WIN! ✅
— Australian World Cup Podcast (@AustralianWCPod) July 20, 2023
New Zealand has won 1-0 against Norway in the opening fixture of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Auckland, with Hannah Wilkinson the difference with her strike in the 48th minute the lone goal of the match.#FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/RXtyMR1RPu
Fellow co-hosts Australia also kicked off its FIFA Women's World Cup campaign on home soil in front of a 75,000-plus crowd in Sydney against the Republic of Ireland. A Steph Catley penalty was the match's only goal, thus seeing the Matildas pick up the three points in a 1-0 victory.
You can read a more comprehensive recap of Australia's win over the Republic of Ireland, here.
AUSTRALIA WIN! ✅
— Australian World Cup Podcast (@AustralianWCPod) July 20, 2023
Australia has won 1-0 against the Republic of Ireland in the team's opening fixture of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney, with stand-in captain Steph Catley's coverted penalty kick in the 52nd minute the only goal scored.#FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/r1n3WjSTZZ
Also don't forget to listen to the Australian World Cup Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episode out now!