Hannah Wilkinson’s lone goal secured a historic 1-0 victory for co-hosts New Zealand against Norway in the opening game of the Women’s World Cup on Thursday.
In front of a record-breaking crowd of over 42,000 at Auckland’s Eden Park, it marked New Zealand’s first-ever win at the prestigious tournament.
The momentous occasion was preceded by a tragic incident earlier in the day when a shooting near downtown Auckland left two victims and the gunman dead. Despite the sombre start, fans filled the stadium with enthusiasm and national pride as they witnessed their team make history.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the match, paying tribute to the lives lost with a moment of silence. The Football Ferns, co-hosting the 32-team Women’s World Cup with Australia, displayed tremendous resilience and determination throughout the game.
Wilkinson’s early second-half goal proved to be the decisive moment. New Zealand had entered the match with an unfortunate record of 15 winless games across five previous World Cup appearances. Breaking that streak against former World Cup winners Norway was a moment of immense joy for the team and their passionate supporters.
The victory was made even more remarkable by the adverse weather conditions, with a cold, wet, and windy evening adding to the challenge. Ria Percival’s late missed penalty prevented New Zealand from securing an even more commanding win.
The triumph has sparked hope for the Football Ferns’ chances of progressing to the knockout stages from Group A, where they will face Switzerland and the Philippines in their upcoming matches.
On the other hand, Norway, whose players were disrupted by the earlier shooting near their hotel, showed a lacklustre performance on the field. The team once crowned world champions in 1995, failed to find their rhythm against a determined New Zealand side.
With their remarkable victory in the Women’s World Cup opener, New Zealand has set the stage for an exhilarating tournament ahead. The co-hosts’ impressive display of skill, combined with unwavering support from their fans, has raised expectations and hopes for their journey in the competition.
