Historic New Zealand stun Norway in Women's World Cup opener
New Zealand were quickest out of the traps, testing a Norway defence that was struggling to adapt to the pace of the contest. Forward Hannah Wilkinson was the driving force, but the Football Ferns lacked quality in the final third, and ultimately failed to register a single shot on target in the opening period.
Hege Riise's side suffering a poor start perhaps wasn't surprising given they were winless in four matches heading into the tournament, but they gradually gained a foothold in the contest and started to create chances of their own.
Midfielder Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum lashed the ball over the bar from close range, before Ada Hegerberg was brilliantly denied the chance to open the scoring by a superb Rebekah Stott tackle.
Despite a strong finish to the half from Norway, New Zealand had shaded the opening period and made their superiority pay within three minutes of the restart to take the lead in devastating fashion.
Intricate build-up sliced the Grashoppers' defence open, allowing Jacqui Hand the space to pick out Wilkinson in the middle to rifle home and score in a third World Cup.
While Norway looked to carve a route back into the game, goalkeeper Aurora Watten Mikalsen needed to be at her best to keep her side alive, stunningly denying Indiah-Paige Riley’s long-range drive that was destined for the top corner.
Norway piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, and only a world-class save from Victoria Esson denied them one, as she sensationally tipped Tuva Hansen’s effort against the bar in the closing stages.
Only the width of the woodwork separated Hansen from a leveller at one end, but moments later she'd gift New Zealand the chance to seal the victory as her handball gave the Football Ferns a last-ditch penalty.
Ria Percival stepped up from 12 yards, but could only direct her spot-kick against the frame of the goal, leaving her side defending a slender one-goal lead in a seemingly everlasting nine minutes of stoppage time.
Much to Percival's relief, the hosts held on to a historic victory perhaps charged by the tragic events that unfolded in Auckland earlier in the day.
Defeat leaves Norway with their backs against the wall, but fixtures against lower-ranked Switzerland and the Philippines give them the chance to avoid exiting the WWC at the group stage.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Hannah Wilkinson (New Zealand)
