New Zealand, the host nation, created history by defeating Norway, the 12th-ranked team, in their inaugural World Cup game.
The Football Ferns crushed their disorganized opponents from the start while being cheered on by 40,000 spectators in a match where they may have been considered the underdogs.
At the end of regulation, only Hannah Wilkinson’s second-half goal, which was the result of an outstanding team play, separated the two sides.
The Football Ferns get the #FIFAWWC started in style with a win as co-hosts courtesy of Hannah Wilkinson’s second half goal, poetic 🥺
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 20, 2023
📺 Watch the wrap of the opening match live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/4m6yNDKUu2
Late in the game, New Zealand had a chance to increase their lead, but Ria Percival’s penalty, which was awarded in a historic VAR check after a handball from Tuva Hansen, rattled the crossbar, leaving the home nation tense as the time ran out.
But they nearly managed to hang on as Norway also had a few opportunities, the greatest of which may have come from a close-range Frida Maanum strike, but all of them eventually went to waste.
