New Zealand beat Norway in Women’s World Cup launching

Co-hosts New Zealand started the Women’s World Cup with an upset win against Norway as that was the country 1^st ever triumph in tournament history.

Co-hosts New Zealand beat Norway 1-0 to open the 2023 #FIFAWWC

It’s their first World Cup win ever in men’s or women’s competition 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9osxb2tiW1

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 20, 2023

New Zealand didn’t win any match in their previous World Cup appearances, but Hannah Wilkinson, with her goal from close range at the beginning of the 2^nd half, secured the historic win.

Norway, who won the tournament in 1995, could have played better according to their standards and the players that they had. The best opportunity they had was to tie the clash in the 81^st minute, but Tuva Hansen shot hit the crossbar.

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New Zealand received a penalty in the last minute of the clash, but Ria Percival failed to score as her shot hit the crossbar.

“This is not what we thought would happen,” Norway captain Maren Mjelde shared after the defeat. “We played well in the last 25 minutes but it was too late.”

More than 40,000 people watched the victory – a record for a football game in New Zealand.

Angel City’s Ali Riley was emotional after captaining New Zealand to a historic win ❤️ pic.twitter.com/J3t3LxURs5

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 20, 2023