HOST nation New Zealand made history on home soil by winning their first-ever World Cup match against 12th-ranked Norway.
In a game where they were perhaps viewed as the underdogs, the Football Ferns dominated their disjointed opponents from the off while being roared on by 40,000 fans.
Hannah Wilkinson’s second-half strike – which was the final product of a phenomenal passage of team play – was all that separated the two teams at the final whistle.
New Zealand had the opportunity to extend their advantage late in the game, but Ria Percival’s penalty – which was awarded in a historic VAR check following a handball from Tuva Hansen – rattled the crossbar, leaving the host nation shaken with nerves as the clock ticked down.
But they held on – just about. Norway had a few chances of their own, arguably the best coming from a close-range Frida Maanum strike, but each of them were ultimately wasted in the end.
For Norway, it was supposed to be a fresh start following last year’s European Championship disappointment.
Prior to the match, Caroline Graham Hansen emphasised that her teammates wanted to capitalise on the opportunity to progress further in the tournament.
But if today was anything to go by, they could be left disappointed once again.
- RESULT: New Zealand 1-0 Norway
- FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer
- TV channel: BBC One
- New Zealand XI: Esson; Bott, Bowen, Ashley Stott, Riley; Hassett, Percival, Steinmetz; Paige Riley, Wilkinson, Hand
- Norway XI: Mikalsen; Bjelde, Mjelde, Harviken, Hansen; Engen, Maanum, Reiten; Graham Hansen, Hagerbeg, Blakstad
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Full Time – New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Norway will be bitterly disappointed with that performance.
Far too many mistakes were made and New Zealand were quick to capitalise.
The likes of Frida Maanum, Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten barely made an impact as the Grasshoppers struggled to create many goalscoring opportunities.
Credit: Reuters Full Time – New Zealand 1-0 Norway
What a performance from the hosts!
They completely dominated from the off while being cheered on by 40,000 fans.
Eden Park is bouncing with the energy of thousands of locals – this will surely be a night they’ll never forget.
Credit: Getty Full Time – New Zealand 1-0 Norway
They’ve done it!
New Zealand have won their first-ever World Cup match!
Eden Park is bouncing!
Credit: Reuters
90+5. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Esson is almost caught out by a wayward cross/shot from Haavi, but the ball narrowly loops over the crossbar.
90+3. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Bjelde has been forced off with an injury.
She has been replaced by Sonstevold.
90. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Percival misses the spot kick!
The ball rattles the crossbar!
Nine minutes have been added on, we’re in for a dramatic ending!
Credit: Getty 87. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
PENALTY FOR NEW ZEALAND!
After a VAR check, the referee awards the hosts with a penalty for a handball on Hansen in the box!
86. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Another change for New Zealand as we approach the final few minutes of the match.
Wilkinson makes way for Satchell.
The striker receives an incredible reception from the crowd at Eden Park.
81. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Norway come close to levelling the score!
They’ve struggled to make the most of their chances so far in this game, but this is by far the closest the Grasshoppers have come to scoring.
The ball is set to Hansen on the edge of the box, who unleashes a powerful strike.
It looks to be heading into the top corner, but Esson gets her fingertips to the ball to deflect it onto the crossbar!
76. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Wilkinson is sent through on goal again.
She turns to hold the ball up before setting it back to Percival, who unleashes a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but her effort flies wide.
74. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Another change for Norway.
Boe Risa is on to replace Maanum.
70. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
New Zealand make their first change.
Stott is replaced by Bunge.
67. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Haavi picks up the ball in midfield and carries it down the left before attempting to cross it into the box, but her pass flies out for a goal kick.
Another chance wasted for Norway.
62. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Norway go for goal again as Hegerberg receives the ball on the left and plays a short pass to Graham Hansen in the box.
But the winger gets the ball stuck under her feet and Stott tracks back to make the tackle.
59. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Huge chance for Norway!
Maanum receives the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and goes for goal, but her shot runs wide!
Credit: AP
56. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Norway make a change.
Blakstad is replaced by Haavi.
53. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
VAR check!
The officials took a minute to check for a potential handball from Harviken in the box, but nothing is given.
49. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
The ball is sent through to Hand on the right, who drives down the wing before squaring it to Wilkinson.
The striker is left completely free in the box and fires the ball past Mikalsen and into the back of the net.
What a way to open a home tournament!
Credit: Getty 48. GOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL NEW ZEALAND!
The hosts break the deadlock!
Kick Off – New Zealand 0-0 Norway
We’re back underway!
Half Time – New Zealand 0-0 Norway
Norway will be disappointed with that first half display.
Far too many players were sloppy on the ball, causing a lack of possession.
And the likes of Maanum, Reiten and Hegerberg were kept quiet throughout, minimising the team’s goal threat.
Hege Riise may have to change things at the break.
Credit: Reuters
Half Time – New Zealand 0-0 Norway
New Zealand have certainly had the better chances so far in this game, but the deadlock is yet to be broken.
Credit: Getty 44. New Zealand 0-0 Norway
Huge chance for New Zealand just before half time as Hand flicks a first time pass through to Wilkinson, who makes an excellent run into the box.
The striker winds up her shot, but Bjelde makes a last-gasp challenge to steer the ball clear.
40. New Zealand 0-0 Norway
Norway attempt an attack as Riley picks up the ball on the right.
She sends it inside to Wilkinson, who turns and sets it back out to Hand on the left, but Graham Hansen tracks back to make the tackle before the winger reaches the final third.
37. New Zealand 0-0 Norway
Norway finally get another look-in at goal as Graham Hansen drives down the right before squaring the ball to Hegerberg on the penalty spot.
The striker looks to take her shot first time, but Stott makes a fantastic last-ditch tackle to make the block.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
