Late drama in Eden Park as Spain score two goals in ten minutes to book their spot in the World Cup Final.

After Spain took the lead in the 80th minute, a Sweden equaliser seven minutes later meant the game looked destined for Extra Time. Spanish captain Olga Carmona then scored an absolutely sensational goal in the 89th minute to send her side to the World Cup Final.

A cagey first half saw both teams head into the break on an even playing field. Despite Spain’s dominance of possession, they were unable to convert it into a score, or any really threatening chances. Sweden’s defence has to take a lot of credit for this, the centre-back pairing of Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson doing a good job to neutralise any serious dangers in the Swedish penalty area, but Spain will be disappointed not to have anything to show for their first half dominance of possession.

The Spaniards created the first chance of the game in the 13th minute, a 30-yard strike from Captain Olga Carmona drifting just wide of the right-hand post, much to the relief of an unsighted Zecira Musovic in the Swedish net.

Carmona picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area following a rushed clearance from the Swedish defence and struck the ball cleanly towards goal. Her effort was just inches away from giving Spain the perfect start to this Semi-Final.

Spain would go on to control possession and the overall tempo of the first half, severely limiting Sweden’s attacking play. After being forced to defend for much of the opening 40 minutes, Sweden responded well at the end of the half and arguably created the best chance of the game thus far. From a throw-in near the Spanish corner flag, the Spanish defence failed to clear the ball, allowing Nathalie Bjorn to win the ball back in a dangerous position.

The right-back produced a wonderful first-time cross with the outside of her right boot into the penalty area, where Fridolina Rolfo was ready to pounce, getting the better of Ona Batlle in the physical battle. Rolfo attemped a volley from Bjorn’s cross and forced an excellent save from Coll, diving down to her right. It was an excellent response from Sweden, who were forced to defend for much of the opening half, as they began to prove how dangerous they can be. By the half-time whistle, it was Spain who looked more thankful of the break, despite controlling much of the game.

It was a much livelier start to the second half from both sides. Sweden took confidence from their bright end to the first half, whilst Spain were sparked into life with the introduction of Salma Paralluelo in place of Alexia Putellas.

Paralluelo caused the Swedish defence a whole host of issues throughout the second half with her speed, physicality and hold-up play. From the 60th minute, Spain enjoyed a real green spell, dominating over 70% of the possession, but again they were held at bay by this robust Swedish defence.

Sweden did not panic, after all they were forced to sit in for much of their game against the USA in the round of 16 and were happy to pick their moments to counter attack.

The pressure finally got to Sweden in the 80th minute, Spain breaking the deadlock through substitute Paralluelo after a mistake in the Swedish defence. After a dangerous Jennifer Hermoso cross, Jonna Andersson was unable to clear the danger and the ball fell towards Paralluelo, who reacted instinctively to power the ball passed Musovic and into the top-right corner.

Sweden refused to go down without a fight, however, and scored a wonderful equaliser with just three minutes of the 90 remaining. Substitutes Lina Hurtig and Rebecka Blomqvist combined after a dangerous Andersson cross. Hurtig got her head to the ball and aimed it in the direction of Blomqvist, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net to give Sweden a life-line.

Just 94 seconds later, Spain responded with a brilliant goal of their own, this time from Captain Olga Carmona. Carmona picked up the ball from a short corner and set her sights on goal, spotting the goalkeeper was just off of her line. Carmona lobbed Musovic from 30 yards out, her effort hitting the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line, sending the Spanish contingent of Eden Park into hysterics.

With just minutes left on the clock, Spain would use their excellent game management to see out the game 2-1, reaching their first ever World Cup final in what was a brilliant second half performance. It’s heartbreak for Sweden, who bow out at the Semi-Final stage yet again, after coming so close to sending the game to Extra Time.

Spain’s opponents in the final will be determined tomorrow morning as England face Colombia.

Sweden will face Spain in the Semi-Finals of the World Cup after beating Japan 2-1 this morning in Eden Park.

Goals from Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldahl were enough to hold on against a Japanese side who were dominated for much of this game, but were electric in the closing minutes.

The opening exchanges were all about gaining control in the midfield battle, as both sides tried to implement their contrasting game-plans early on. From the outset, Sweden looked to dominate possession and pin Japan back in their own half, offense is after all the best form of defence.

As a result, Sweden were in control for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, enjoying better chances and more momentum.

Sweden should have taken the lead in the 25^th minute through Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius. The striker was found by a brilliant long pass from Nathalie Bjorn, the ball proving difficult for Japanese defender Saki Kumagai to deal with.

Blackstenius stole the ball from underneath the feet of Kumagai and found herself through on goal, with just Ayaka Yamashita in her way. The striker had more time and space than she thought, as she took her shot at the first time of asking, shanking her effort well wide of the post. It was a tight angle, but she will have expected better from herself in that position.

This chance seemed to spark Japan into life, the 2011 winners creating a flurry of chances to swing the momentum. However, their efforts to contain Sweden were undone in the 30^th minute, when Kumagai fouled Blackstenius outside the penalty area, gifting Sweden a free kick in a dangerous position on the right-hand side. Kosovare Asllani produced a dangerous cross into the Japanese box, where Japan scrambled to try and clear the ball.

With the ball bobbling, Nathalie Bjorn attempted a shot, but her effort was blocked, the ball now at the feet of Magdalena Eriksson. The defender similarly tried to shoot, but her effort was deflected and now bounced dangerously into the six-yard box. Up for the free kick, Amanda Ilestedt found the ball at her feet and poked the ball past the oncoming defenders and Yamashita in goal. The centre-back picked up her fourth goal of this year’s tournament, and gave Sweden the lead in this crucial Quarter Final tie.

Asllani came within inches of doubling Sweden’s lead just ten minutes later, her effort forcing a wonderful save from Yamashita, who pushed the ball onto the post. After being found by a wonderful bounce pass from Fridolina Rolfo, Asllani’s half-volley travelled goal-wards, but Yamashita managed to get a fingertip save to force the ball onto the post.

After the half-time break, Sweden were strong out of the blocks, and looked to double their lead and put the game to bed as early as possible. They wouldn’t have to wait long, as they were awarded a penalty in the 49^th minute following a handball from Fuka Nagano in the penalty area after a dangerous corner from Jona Andersson.

Nagano can feel aggrieved by the decision, as she had no sight of the ball until it hit against her hand. The hand-ball was brought to the attention of the referee via VAR, and after a quick review a penalty was awarded to Sweden. Filippa Angeldahl stepped up to take the penalty and slotted the ball past Yamashita in goal, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Japan now had a mountain to climb.

Japan were handed a lifeline in the 74^th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Riko Ueki from substitute Madelen Janogy as the Japanese striker was running towards goal. A tangling of legs saw the striker go down and a penalty awarded. Ueki stepped up to take the penalty, never really looking fully confident. Her shot rattled against the bar, and the rebound was dealt with well by the Swedish defence, who cleared the danger.

It was do or die for Japan in the closing ten minutes of the game, who left it late to claw a goal back through Honoka Hayashi. A free kick from Aoba Fujino rattled against the crossbar and onto the back of Zecira Musovic, hitting the post on the richochet. It was a miracle the effort didn’t go in. From the resulting chaos, Hayashi found the ball at her feet inside the penalty area, and powered a low shot to Musovic’s right.

It was a tense final few minutes, but ultimately it’s Sweden progress to the semi-finals, where they will face Spain, who beat the Netherlands 2-1 earlier on this morning. The Swedes will be looking to go a step further than 2019, where they crashed out at the Semi-Final stage, but they know they face a difficult task. Today’s performance will give them great confidence, beating one of the favourites for the tournament in emphatic fashion.

Spain showcased their World Cup credentials with a five-star, five-goal performance in Auckland this morning which stunned Switzerland as Group C’s runners-up booked themselves into the quarterfinals in style. 

A brilliant brace from Aitana Bonmati added to Alba Redondo and Laia Codina goals cancelled out the latter’s own goal before Jennifer Hermoso made it five in the second half. 

With both nations hoping to make history by advancing beyond the last sixteen for the first time, team news jarred with Switzerland settled and again unchanged.

Spain, meanwhile, changed five from the Japan horror show including a debut for Cata Coll in goal and Alexia Putellas deployed as a substitute.

Five minutes in though, and manager, Jorge Vilda, was vindicated as his side prized the Group A winners wide open, Switzerland’s perfect defensive record wiped out.    

Alba Redondo’s header brought the best from Gaelle Thalmann in the Swiss goal, her save tipping it onto the post.  From which, Spain regathered and worked it to the coolest player positioned to pounce, midfielder, Aitana Bonmati, rifling home excellently for her second strike at the tournament.

In a frantic early pace, Esther Rodriguez headed high before in the eleventh minute, Switzerland levelled but were indebted to a Spanish error. 

One of those five changes, on debut, defender Laia Codina, disastrously overhit a backpass to Coll from just inside her own half and the ball sailed past the helpless goalkeeper, all square!

Despite that setback, Spain had started superbly, finding plenty of room to play in and manoeuvre Switzerland’s sturdy defence, their positivity put them back ahead soon enough with Redondo turning scorer as she steered a deadly accurate header into the corner from a pinpoint pickout by Ona Batlle.

Having not created much themselves, Coumba Sow showcased her speed, flashing a deadly shot just past the post, Spain replying in kind with a spell of possession which culminated in Teresa Abelleira punching in a powerful pildedriver which flew just over.

The onslaught kept coming as Bonmati drilled a ferocious half-volley in, well saved by Thalmann.

But she was powerless to prevent Bonmati punishing another tame clearance, the Barcelona player demonstrating her prowess with her second, terrifically taken, strike into the net and just reward for a sublime opening half performance by Spain, her tournament tally trebled!

Icing the cake on a first half of dreams for Spain was redemption for Codina before the break, the defender profiting from soft Switzerland marking as she rammed home from close-range from a corner, the cherry on a considerably tasty Spanish cake!

Switzerland switched three at the interval and seemed intent on not letting Spain canter through.

One almost made a scoring impact registering Switzerland’s first, official, shot, as Meriame Terchoun connected but found Coll, steely and calm, to claim the effort.

Maria Perez was introduced for her World Cup debut in Spain’s midfield as they chased a fifth, Thalmann though far better protected from shots than earlier on! 

Fellow replacement Eva Navarro whistled one effort wide before, with twenty minutes remaining, Jennifer Hermoso pounced onto a poor pass at the back, finishing, with ruthless finesse for goal number five, Spain controlling the second half’s pace. 

Switzerland match their last showing on this stage in 2015 but this was a harrowing manner for their tournament to be dismantled. 

A sad way for Thalmann to depart the international scene as the Swiss netminder retires after their involvement in the tournament ends, although with three clean sheets prior to this, she can be proud, but the bruising nature of this defeat will sting the Switzerland squad.

Vilda’s squad will now play the winners of the Netherlands South Africa clash this evening/tomorrow morning, regardless of opposition though, they will be fearsome opponents for whoever awaits next, their tournament hopes reborn, and with plenty of panache, too.

A share of the spoils will see the United States finish as Group E runners up as they failed to break down a stubborn Portugal side in Eden Park.

That result will see them meet Sweden in the next round, the World Number 3 side, will be no easy task, one of Japan and Norway to come if they make the last eight.

Frustration was clear to see from the Stars and Stripes, they struggled in front of goal, Portugal strong in defence, Rose Lavelle will miss the next round following a clumsy challenge, they did enough to get out of dodge and remain in the competition.

In terms of possession it was all the United States in the opening minutes, getting out of the block quick to put pressure on the World Cup debutants, Alex Morgan had the first major chance, she tried to connect a cross goal wards but it rippled the side netting. Corner given, Ros Lavelle delivered, Lynn Williams headed to the hands of Ines Pereira.

Williams again threatened this time forcing Pereira into a diving save to keep a header out, chances were rare from the Portuguese side, going up the other end however Jessica Silva raced through from a Kika Nazareth through ball, she dragged her shot to the left and wide, that could have been the moment early in the tie.

Portugal were not backing down, prior to SIlva’s chance, Andreia Norton had an effort just go over the bar, they passed with precision and the US looked a side easy to exploit if the right combination of moves was achieved.

An incredible defensive shift by Portugal was tormenting the World Champions, Pereira was on form, Morgan dribbled along by the byline, it looked like it had trickled out of play, Rebecca Welch the match referee waved play on, with the Portugal net minder Pereira needing to make a double save, Morgan and Williams with efforts, Williams on the second attempt fired over.

Just a little after the half hour mark, the ever dangerous Sophia Smith looked to have a chance after Williams found her with a cross, she opted not to shoot instead looking to find Morgan, the pass cut out by a Portuguese player.

The narrative of the opening half was Portugal defended with ruthless intent, the USA however kept giving the ball away, Portugal looked a side playing with all the confidence, free flowing football that we might not have seen from the minnows.

Frustration was creeping into the USA, their supporters not happy in the stands, Rose Lavelle was late in a challenge with Portugal captain Dolores Silva and was immediately shown a yellow boos echoing around Eden Park.

Late threat from the Stars and Stripes going into first half stoppage time, Andi Sullivan had a corner punched away by Pereira, they recycled the ball, cross to the area, Williams had an effort but Pereira saved comfortably, that was the half, a frustrated side with several players surrounding Welch after the whistle sounded.

Just a few minutes into the second half and the US started brighter, a free kick landed to Lavelle who shot over the bar, they had confidence but also showed signs of nerves, playing in uncharted waters, they never have had to survive a straight shootout to go through.

Tension and some aggression started to show, yellow cards shown to both teams as they both knew the circumstances of this tie, Morgan had another great chance after rounding Pereira, Dina Gomes however blocking her tight angled shot to keep the game scoreless.

Chances came and went a begging for the USA, Lavelle vollied over, Morgan had a header that went over also, before Smith just could not get the final pass off to create something, she was chosen to be taken off for Megan Rapinoe as the United States were in desperate need of a goal.

Alarm bells for the United States, but instead it was fire alarms going off in Eden Park, it may well have been for the USA side as they still were desperate for the opener, Williams failed to direct a volley goal bound from a Morgan cross, they had everything dealt with by the intense nature of the Portugal rearguard, shepherded by Pereira in net.

As the minutes ticked by the US tried and failed, they pressed but no outcome, into eight minutes of stoppage time, it was all Portugal, Ana Capeta hit the post, much to the relief of the United States, an incredible strike that could have landed into the bottom corner.

Nerves were showing from the United States, Andreia Jacinto fired a shot over the bar, before a wide free kick saw USA keeper Alyssa Naeher try to collect the ball but it went through her and out for a goal kick.

Norway hammer the Philippines in Eden Park to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup from Group A on their own accord.

The Swiss draw with hosts New Zealand means that they top the group with Norway taking the runner up spot on goal difference.

The Norwegians knew a three or more goal victory would secure their spot and that margin was achieved within half an hour of the game. Two more quick strikes just after the break had the game well and truly out of reach and their place in the knockouts secured.

Roman Haug secured her World Cup hattrick deep into injury time with a header to make it 6-0.

The Philippines will always have the memories of the wonderful win over hosts New Zealand, but the quality difference in the 123 place world rankings difference really showed in this game.

Norway opened the game with a clear task and were lethal in their execution early on. Roman Huag opening the scoring after just seven minutes, with a contender for goal of the tournament.

Bjelde played the ball in off her right and although it looked to have too much flight it dropped right in at the back post, over the shoulder of Roman Haug who caught it so sweetly, looping up and over McDaniel in the Philippines net.

Roman Haug found herself on the end of another cross ten minutes later, this time from Boe Risa, and made it two for herself and her side with a great header to give Norway the advantage in the group for the first time.

Momentum never let up for the Norwegians, and it was three just after the half hour mark. Another moment of pure quality from the side ranked 12th in the world. Graham Hansen ran onto a breaking ball at the edge of the area, and despite being challenged, a deft flick over the defenders leg gave her time and space to pick her spot and she smashed into the corner from range.

Philippines never looked like getting into the game in the first half, with one effort from range proving to be their only attempt on target, with a repeat of their stunning New Zealand victory looking extremely unlucky and a tournament exit staring them in the face at the break.

The Asian side came out knowing they would need a sporting miracle to progress but hopes of that were dashed within minutes.

Frida Maanum of Arsenal crossed from the right hand side just two minutes into the half that forced Alicia Barker to attack the ball but unfortunately for her and her country she put it into her own net.

Just moments later with the next play of the game, a quick turnover for Norway led to absolute chaos at the back with Reiten eventually fouled by Sawicki. After VAR intervened to award the spot kick, Reiten stepped up and smashed home for her side's fifth of the game after just 53 minutes.

Things did not get any better, with Philippines introducing Sofia Harrison just before the hour mark, but her night lasted less than ten minutes, as she got shown a straight red for a horrible tackle on Bjelde, following a VAR intervention.

The game did not see much action after the red but Norway did cap off a perfect day with a sixth goal deep into the eleven minutes of injury time.

Sophie Roman Haug completed her hattrick after the scorer of the penalty, Reiten, played a cross that Roman Haug was able to meet and head home into the corner.

Norway making a real statement of intent after a slow start to the tournament.

Spain secured a spot in the last sixteen as they eased past Zambia in Auckland, braces from Alba Redondo and Jennifer Hermoso plus a Teresa Abelleira strike doing the damage.

Knowing that victory would secure last sixteen qualification for themselves and Japan, who won earlier today, Spain started with intent, Alexia Putellas seeing plenty of the ball on her first start of the tournament.

Against the bottom ranked side competing in the World Cup, Spain picked up where they left off from beating Costa Rica 3-0 as nine minutes in, they took the lead in spectacular style.

Receiving the ball in space outside the penalty area, Teresa Abelleira unleashed a scorcher of a shot which flew past stranded goalkeeper, Eunice Sakala, into the top corner for the tournament’s fastest goal yet.

Moments later, Jennifer Hermoso doubled the lead, the number 10 left with a simple task of heading home from two yards after Putellas floated a delightful chip onto her head.

Susan Banda looked lively on the counterattack for Zambia as they sought a route back despite being smothered by Spain’s monopolisation of the ball.

She was forced from the fray with injury as half time neared, the Zambians holding firm but at considerable energy-sapping cost.

The Spanish should have trebled their advantage before the break but Aitana Bonati, scorer against Costa Rica, shot at Sakala with the goal gaping as Zambia made it in just two goals down.

Jorge Vilda made a triple substitution at the break as Putellas was rotated.

But it was Bonmati who went closest to the next goal with a header that Sakara fumbled but did well to recover in time.

The newly instated netminder next did well to keep out a rasper from Hermoso as Spain looked to kill the game with Barbra Banda forcing plenty of defensive jitters at the back.

Eventually the third arrived and it was a combination of substitutes as Eva Navarro released Alba Redondo in behind, she coolly rounded Sakala and slotted home.

Less than a minute later, Hermoso, on her century of caps, had more to celebrate when she tapped in after Redondo’s shot hit the post for her fiftieth, half-century of international goals. 

Despite initially being disallowed for offside, VAR gave it the green light and Hermoso later hit the crossbar as she chased a hattrick.

Redondo made it five with minutes remaining as Spain came on clinical in the closing stages.

With Group C now confirmed to have Spain and Japan qualify, that sets up a tantalising encounter between them on Monday whilst Costa Rica and Zambia will face off in a bid to finish on a high.

Full Time in Eden Park where Italy have beaten Argentina in their opening game of this year’s World Cup in Group G. An 87^th minute winner from super sub Cristiana Girelli saw Italy win in dramatic fashion.

The match had a frantic pace to it for the first 15 minutes, with both sides desperate to make a bright start. The Italians put Argentina under some serious pressure in the opening four minutes as they looked to challenge goalkeeper Vanina Correa and the rest of her defence with some really challenging crosses.

Italy were more physical in the air, and were able to get touches on the crosses, causing a real problem for the Argentinians early on.

Italy enjoyed numerous corners in the opening five minutes, and looked to swarm Correa in her six-yard box. The veteran goalkeeper dealt with this early onslaught well, and was able to produce some excellent punches to clear the danger for her side.

Down the other end, Argentinian superstar Estefania Banini was inches away from stealing the ball away from Elena Linari on the half-way line for what would have been a 40-metre one-on-one in which Banini surely would have scored.

Linari recovered well from her slip to deny Banini the chance to drive towards goal, and the Italian segment of the crowd could release a huge sigh of relief.

It was an opening half that saw the Italians put the ball in the back of the net twice, both efforts being ruled out by the lines official. Firstly, Arianna Caruso produced a wonderful effort from 18 yards, dancing around the Argentinian defenders before unleashing an amazing shot that curled into the right-hand side-netting. The flag was raised immediately.

25 minutes later, veteran striker Valentina Giacinti also put the ball in the back of the net; she received the ball on the edge of the box, driving at the defence, losing her marker. Giacinti powered her effort into the left-hand corner, but again the official rightly raised her flag and the score-line was still even.

The second non-goal seemed to spark Argentina into life, as they succumbed to the idea that they could easily have been 2-0 down inside 40 minutes. For the remaining five minutes, they pressed ruthlessly from the front and created a number of half-chances.

With Banini leading the line, Mariana Laroquette and Romina Nunez forced the Italian defence into a number of mistakes, conceding several corners late in the half. Argentina would be unable to turn these chances into goals, but they proved that they would be no easy push-over.

There was a real shift in ideology from Argentina at the start of the second half. Rather than continuing to put pressure on Italy as they had done throughout the first half, particularly in the closing five minutes, Argentina instead adopted a more defensive approach.

They employed a low block defence early on in this second half, hoping to catch Italy on the counter attack. It seemed a strange shift in tactics considering the pressure they were able to put Italy under at times in the first half, German Portanova sensing greater opportunities for a first World Cup victory later on in the group.

A foul on Italian captain Barbara Bonansea gave the Italians a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box. Manuela Giuglino stepped up to take the set piece, her effort skimming the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Giuglino was just inches away from opening the scoring.

Despite their defensive set up for the second half, Argentina proved that they were still dangerous, especially from set pieces. A free kick in the 48^th minute from Argentina’s Eliana Stabile proved testing for Francesca Durante, who found herself scrambling on her goal-line to clear the ball away.

Again in the 70^th minute, Argentina looked to put pressure on Durante in goal, who had looked uncomfortable from set pieces throughout the game, and came within inches of scoring through Larroquette.

With 6 minutes to play, 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni was replaced by the experienced Cristiana Girelli as Italy searched for a goal to break the deadlock. Just two minutes later, the substitution proved to be a masterstroke as Girelli got a wonderful header on the end of a dangerous Lisa Boattin cross.

Girelli’s guided header wrong-footed Correa in the Argentinian goal and the ball sailed into the top-right corner. Suber sub Girelli had broken the deadlock with just five minutes to play.

Argentina refused to back down, and mounted the pressure on the Italians late on in the game, forcing Durante to make a number of late saves.

Italy would go on to hold out for the win in their first game of this World Cup in what was an impressive performance in a tight game in Eden Park this morning.

Full Time Italy 1-0 Argentina

Sophia Smith marked her Women’s World Cup appearance by netting two first half goals, before assisting the third converted by Lindsey Horan, as the USA recorded their opening win.

Smith slotted home in the 14th minute after a terrific pass by Alex Morgan, she then found the net at the end of the half, after a lengthy VAR decision that was given, while Alex Morgan had a penalty saved minutes earlier, from another VAR decision.

Horan wrapped up the tie, on a night where Megan Rapinoe made 200 Appearances for the USA, she joined Rose Lavelle in making their way onto the field late in the second half, giving them minutes to build on.

A game where the USA never let their opponents have a chance at goal, they were a little wayward the reigning champions, will look to fix that ahead of meeting Portugal and the Netherlands.

From the off the United States looked a side playing with confidence, attacking well Alex Morgan had a shot blocked, before Andi Sullivan shot over the bar, Kim Thanh then made a great save to deny Lindsey Horan, but the flag was up to give a free kick for Vietnam.

After applying early pressure and looking dangerous, on the 14th minute mark, the USA took the lead, Horan with a beautiful long pass, Alex Morgan played a lovely back heel pass for Smith to race in on, she hit a low left footed effort across the keeper to the right hand bottom corner for the lead.

It was constant pressure from the USA, on the half hour mark Morgan had two great chances, played it her first effort went wide of the goal, the second was almost the doubler, but the flag was up despite again the keeper saving well.

Trinity Rodman went down inside the area in the 42nd minute, the referee initially was not looking at it, but was consulted to check VAR after a lengthy deliberation, the referee pointed to the spot, but Morgan’s effort down the middle of the goal was saved by the legs of Kim Thanh.

That set us up for eight minutes of stoppage time, right at the death of that however, Thanh punched a cross to the path of Smith, she fired home, the flag was up for an office in the build up, but after VAR review and using the tech on offer, the referee would give Smith her second goal, the US ahead 2-0 at the break.

Within 10 seconds of the second half Smith almost had her hat trick but missed the target, countless chances followed,  Eretz headed a corner toward goal but it rose and was well over, then Rodman crossed to the box after a lovely bit of build up by the USA, but Horan's volley was wide.

63 minutes in Rapinoe and Lavelle both made their way into the field, four minutes later Horan had a further chance to score, then from the keeper saving the danger, Rapinoe crossed to the area, Emily Fox gathered and did well to set herself, but it went over the bar.

The USA made it three after 77 minutes, again a combination of sublime passes, Ertz with a long ball for Smith to gather, she was racing down the right wing, a cut back inside toward the penalty spot allowed Horan to strike home to an empty net.

That as they say was that, a game of total domination from the USA, so many chances, they will feel they should have scored more goals, but for now will have to look ahead to the remainder of the group stage.

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.