FIFA Women’s World Cup: New Zealand 1 - 0 Norway

New Zealand got the Women’s World Cup off in a blistering fashion as they deservedly claimed a debut win at this level.

They created the better of the opportunities before Hannah Wilkinson scored early in the second-half. They survived late pressure, and even missed a penalty, to get their campaign off with a bang.  

It is a terrible result for Norway though. Rebuilding after a disappointing Euros, and with a lethal looking front-line, they failed to deal with the physicality and energy of the host nation. They hit the woodwork twice but never looked convincing throughout.  

Both sides lined up as expected. Rebakah Stott started in the centre of defence after her recovery from cancer last year. It was expected that herself and Katie Bowen would have a busy night ahead of them.

Ria Percival and Malia Steinmetz employed for their hard-running and energy in midfield. Hannah Wilkinson was partnered by Jacqui Hand up front who was able to drop deeper if needed.

Norway had major defensive issues in their last tournament and opted for Maren Mjelde and Mathilde Harviken in the middle.

It was the dangerous front trio of Caroline Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg and Julie Blakstad who looked to link up together to provide the key threat for Norway.

The game got underway amid a minute’s silence due to a horrific shooting in Auckland early this morning.

It was the home side, cheered on by the capacity crowd, who started on the front foot. A long ball over the top seemed to straight-forward to deal with but the backline allowed Hannah Wilkinson time to latch onto it.

Her effort was blocked but they were unable to clear it effectively. It eventually came out to Malia Steinmetz who fired over. At the other end, Victoria Essen seemed to having issues with her handling and Ada Hegerberg almost profited when a Caroline Graham Hansen cross was not punched away fully.

It appeared that Norway had begun to settle as the half developed. Julie Blakstad knocked a throw-in down into the path of Frida Maanum. Her shot went just over the bar. Blakstad then put in a decent cross from out on the left. Essen claimed with confidence on this occasion.

The best movement of the half came when Graham Hansen found some home before blitzing past Steinmetz. She looked up and found her strike partner Hegerberg inside the box. Only an excellent block from Rebakah Stott denied her from opening the scoring.

It was another block at the other end that stopped Wilkinson from putting New Zealand ahead just before half-time. The ball was flicked into her path by Jacqui Hand and she powered through the middle. Maren Mjelde producing the block to stop her in her tracks.

She would not be denied just after the interval though. It was an excellent team move as Catherine Bott played it out to Indiah-Page Riley who in turn fed it out wide to hand. Her run and cross was dispatched with style by Wilkinson in the centre.

Norway survived a VAR call for hand-ball and a challenge on the edge of their own area by Mathilde Harviken. Both ruled to be fair.

They needed to respond and almost found it. Frida Maanum was found inside the box by determined wing play from Graham Hansen. She put it just past the post under pressure from Ali Riley though.

Emile Haavi then delayed her cross when players were calling for it before the eventual effort went out of play. Page-Riley almost made it two at the other end when she let fly from the edge of the area. Her curling effort looked to be heading into the top corner until Aurora Mikalsen got across to tip it over.

The game was now stretched as both sides went for it. Ria Percival was just off target after she was found by Wilkinson while Tuva Hansen saw her shot come back off the crossbar. It appeared as if Essen got a hand on it though.

New Zealand were given a perfect opportunity to seal the win in the dying minutes. VAR checked a blocked cross and adjudged it had struck the hand of Mjelde just inside the area. Percival stepped up and struck her effort high and wide towards the top corner. It came back off the woodwork and Norway survived again.

Nine minutes were added to ramp up the tension in Eden Park. Guro Reiten could have been the villain as she tried to make contact with a scuffed effort by Hegerberg but only manged to put it wide.

Huge celebrations with the home fans as their World Cup began in style. Contrasting emotions with the Norwegian players who were slumped to the ground and will face major scrutiny after this. New Zealand could seal their place in the knock-out round when they take on Philippines on Tuesday at 06.30 GMT. Norway have to respond better when they face Switzerland on the same day at 09.00 GMT.    

New Zealand Women: Victoria Esson; CJ Bott, Katie Bowen, Ali Riley, Rebekah Stott (Claudia Bunge 69); Betsy Hassett, Ria Percival, Malia Steinmetz; Jacqui Hand (Gabi Rennie 90), Indiah-Paige Riley, Hannah Wilkinson (Paige Satchell 85).
Subs not used: Anna Leat, Erin Nayler, Michaela Foster, Elizabeth Anton, Grace Jale, Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Annalie Longo, Milly Clegg.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.

Norway Women: Aurora Mikalsen; Thea Bjelde (Anja Sønstevold 90), Tuva Hansen, Mathilde Harviken, Maren Mjelde; Caroline Hansen, Frida Maanum (Vilde Boe Risa 74), Guro Reiten, Ingrid Syrstad Engen; Julie Blakstad (Emilie Haavi 56), Ada Hegerberg.
Subs not used: Cecilie Fiskerstrand, Guro Pettersen, Sara Hørte, Marit Lund, Guro Bergsvand, Anna Jøsendal, Karina Sævik, Amalie Eikeland, Sophie Haug.
Booked: Emilie Haavi (85).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita.
Attendance: 42,137
extratime.com Player of the Match: Hannah Wilkinson