Women’s World Cup: Hosts New Zealand stun Norway in opener

New Zealand have recorded their first ever Women’s World Cup win after shocking 1995 champions Norway.

A goal from Hannah Wilkinson was enough to seal the victory and give the Football Ferns a superb chance of qualifying from the knockout stages.

New Zealand had previously earned just three draws from 15 World Cup matches but were roared on by a record-breaking 42,137 fans in Auckland.

Going into the tournament, Norway were widely tipped to win all three games in the group but a superb team move was finished when Jacqui Hand found Wilkinson to finish from close range.

Frida Maanum dragged the ball wide as Norway hunted for an equaliser before Indiah-Paige Riley forced a superb save from Aurora Mikalsen at the other end.

New Zealand neutralised the Norway threat well but Rangers goalkeeper Victoria Esson was called into action late on to tip Tuva Hansen’s 20-yarder onto the woodwork.

Record cap holder Ria Percival should have doubled the New Zealand lead in the 88th minute after a handball on the edge of the box, but her spot-kick rebounded off the crossbar.

New Zealand needed to see off nine minutes of stoppage time and some nervous defending let Guro Reiten through, but she was unable to finish from seven yards.

Norway will be looking to bounce back against Switzerland in five days time, with New Zealand meeting the Philippines earlier that day.

Cover Photo: New Zealand Flag, Beehive” by Tākuta is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 .