90min

New Zealand stun Norway in Women's World Cup opener

  • The Football Ferns kick off the 2023 Women's World Cup in style
  • Norway beaten despite fielding Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten
  • Switzerland and Philippines the two other teams in Group A

By Toby Cudworth

Hannah Wilkinson moments after scoring New Zealand's winning goal
Hannah Wilkinson moments after scoring New Zealand's winning goal / Phil Walter/GettyImages
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Hannah Wilkinson's goal handed co-hosts New Zealand a famous win over Norway in the opening game of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

In front of a crowd of 42,137 at Eden Park - a record for a football match in New Zealand - Wilkinson was on hand to turn home Jacqui Hand's cross three minutes into the second half, earning her side a famous win against a Norway team containing Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten among others.

The Football Ferns had failed to win any of their previous 15 Women's World Cup games, but were well worth their win after putting in a rousing display in Auckland.

Norway were toothless in attack, despite fielding a strong-looking side, and failed to stamp their authority on the game at any point. Their tardiness was punished when New Zealand sprung a quick counter attack down the right flank, which resulted in Hand's low cross being turned in by Wilkinson from close range.

Aurora Mikalsen's save from Ali Riley prevented the hosts from making it two, while Tuva Hansen's late effort for Norway was tipped onto the crossbar. New Zealand could, and should, have wrapped up the game heading into injury-time, only for Ria Percival to smash her penalty against the crossbar after a VAR check.

READ MORE ON THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

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