1 v 0 
NorwayVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 July 2023 | 8:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Wonderful Wilkinson Seals Historic Win For New Zealand
A 48th minute a goal from Hannah Wilkinson sealed an historic 1-0 for tournament co-hosts New Zealand win over Norway in front of over 42,000 fans in Eden Park in the opening game of the World Cup tonight.
Despite their underdog status, it was New Zealand who started the better. The football ferns showed no signs of nerves in front of their buoyant home outside of jittery moment from goalkeeper Victoria Esson who failed to collect a routine cross early on.
Outside of this, it was the hosts who looked more threatening going forward with Hannah Wilkinson and Malia Steinmetz proving to be particularly influential down the flanks.
Norway on the otherhand, had to be content with hitting their opponents on the break with their best chance coming through Ballon D'or winner Ada Hegerberg who was denied by a brilliant piece of defending from Katie Bowen in the 36th minute.
New Zealand's best chance of the half came just before the break when Wilkinson was denied by an equally impressive block from Thea Bjelde.
Both team talks would have been interesting at half time and it appeared that Jitka Klimková was better as a brilliant team mood saw Wilkinson fire home the tournament's first goal in the 48th minute. The goal marked Wilkinson's third consecutive tournament in which she had scored.
Norway looked to turn the screw on the hour mark with a noticeable increase in pressure being appiied on the Ferns defence. Frida Maanum had a great chance from close range for the visitors but flashed her shot wide of the goal.
New Zealand to their credit, settled proceedings back down and nearly doubled their lead in the 76th minute when Reah Perceval fired a long range shot just wide of the post.
Norway would have a close call in the 80th minute as Tuva Hansen hit the cross bar for the visitors in what was a nervy final ten minutes.
The drama wouldn't end there as New Zealand would be given a penalty in the 89th minute after a VAR check for handball. However, Reah Perceval could not convert from the penalty spot.
Nine minutes of added time were played which added even more supsense but the hosts were able to see it out for an historic first ever World Cup win.
Timeline
Ground
| Eden Park |
|---|
| Eden Park, Cricket Avenue, Kingsland, Albert-Eden, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand |
Sam Curtin
Sam is an avid sports enthusiast who has been working in journalism since he was 16. Along with his work, he also plays tennis and is a Government and Political Science student at UCC. Most importantly of all however is that he's from Cork.
Full time as New Zealand held on for an historic first ever World Cup victory and thoroughly deserved too.
Gabi Rennie is on for NZ in place of Jaqui Hand.
Anja Sonstevold for Bjelde who's pulled her hamstring.
Nine, yes nine minutes of added time to be played.
Perceival hits the bar! Norway are still alive.
PENALTY
A big VAR check here for a potential penalty for New Zealand as a result of a possible handball.
Wilkinson is on for Satchell for New Zealand.
Best chance for Norway so far as Hansen hits the bar.
Reah Perceival nearly doubled NZ's lead there taking a shot on the run after an excellent cross from Wilkinson.
Vilde Boe Risa on for Frida Maanum for Norway.
New Zealand have done well settle things back down in the last few minutes again. They have also had 7 corners compared to Norway's one interestingly.
Claudia Bunge on for Rebekah Scott for NZ.
Norway beginning to turn the screw and ramp up the tempo here as they chase the equaliser.
Maanum with strike from close range but the ball goes wide. A close call however as for once the Kiwis looked stretched.
Sub for Norway as Blakstad goes off for Emile Haavi.
Crowd are calling for a penalty as Jacqui Hand is brought down just outside the box but the referee waves it away.
Quick VAR check to see if there was a handball in the NZ box. Would have been a very harsh penalty if given.
Hannah Wilkinson gives New Zealand a deserved lead after finishing off a textbook five pass move straight off the training ground. 1-0 NZ.
Second half underway.
Half-time with the sides deadlocked at the break. New Zealand have certainly come to play and have been the better side so far.
Hannah Wilkinson did excellent there showing real power and grit to get through on goal. In fairness to Bjelde though she showed great defending to deny her.
Great block to deny Hansen and Hegerberg from New Zealand, a real last ditch block but technically brilliant.
The kiwis are continuing to frustrate their Norweigan counterparts but their final product is leaving them down.
A three on two for New Zealand on the break but Steimetz takes a heavy touch and the chance goes a begging.
Crowd not happy as Norway commit three fouls in quick succession but the referee doesn't show a card.
A half chance for Norway, great knock down from Hegerberg before Frida Maanum blazes her shot over the bar.
A couple of corners come and go for New Zealand as Norway regain the ascendancy. New Zealand just about manage to clear the ball after a strong header from Hegerberg.
A very bright opening 10 minutes from the hosts it has to be said. They've dominated possession in the last few minutes and look particularly dangerous down the channels.
A nervy piece of goalkeeping from Victoris Esson there with the kiwi goalkeeper failing to claim what should have been a routine cross. The ball could have easily gone in to the net if Ada Hegerberg could have got her foot on it.
The last play is an example of that. Great break from Hannah Wilkinson who caught the Norweigans napping although the move ends with the ball going high and wide.
Norway unsurprisingly looking to press high up the pitch early on. New Zealand's best chance of a goal will be from set pieces and on the break.
The 2023 world cup is officialy underway.
There's a moments silence for those who sadly lost their lives today in the shooting in Auckland.
Teams are out, anthems are done. Ready to go for this year's tournament.
Hello and welcome to the opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Sam Curtin here reporting from New Zealand..... just not quite Auckland. Kick off at Eden Park is at 8am Irish time with team news on the way shortly.