FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Co-hosts New Zealand seal historic 1-0 win over Norway in opener
Hannah Wilkinson's goal early in the second half propels the Football Ferns to their first Women's World Cup win in six tournament appearances as the 2023 edition began in Auckland.
Football
Co-hosts New Zealand got their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign off to a historic winning start on Thursday (20 July) as they beat 1995 champions Norway 1-0 in Auckland.
Hannah Wilkinson's goal three minutes into the second half, a smartly taken finish in the box, was enough to lead the Football Ferns to a 1-0 win at Eden Park – New Zealand's first win in six appearances at football's Women's World Cup.
Wilkinson, who is playing in her fourth World Cup, scored New Zealand's last goal at a tournament back in 2015, with the Football Ferns not finding the net in three matches in 2019.
While Norway, ranked 12th in the world, grew into the game and threatened to level the scores, the co-hosts held strong and even had the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot late into the game.
Ria Percival thumped her attempt from 12 yards onto the crossbar, but the miss would not matter as New Zealand held on for a famous victory which gives the home side high hopes of qualifying from Group A to the knockout stage.