New Zealand vs Norway 1-0: Women’s World Cup – as it happened

Thanks for joining us for an enthralling Women’s World Cup opener in which the co-hosts New Zealand sprung an upset on Norway.

This blog is now closed but the action continues elsewhere as Australia take on Ireland in Sydney – follow live updates on that match here.

A tearful New Zealand captain Ali Riley says it’s hard to sum up what the victory means.

“We had a clear goal that we wanted to inspire young women and girls around the country and around the world and I think we’ve done that tonight. Anything is possible,” she said.

Riley said there were “a lot of doubters” but they believed in themselves and played with poise: “This is what dreams are made of!”

She also paid tribute to the first responders following the deadly attack in Auckland earlier in the day and says the team wanted to put on a performance to lift the nation.

“We wanted to help bring something amazing today.”

New Zealand dominated the second half and deserved to win by more, although Norway could have equalised with more composure in front of goal.

The Ferns were better all over the pitch – calm in possession, constantly posing a threat down the wings, winning most of the 50-50 balls. Wilkinson was a menace throughout her shift. Percival could have made it two but was unlucky to hit the bar with a penalty.

Riise will have to hold a major inquest into why Norway were so outclassed by opponents ranked far below them.

New Zealand will move forward in the tournament with confidence and have done their fans proud!

History made! Congratulations Ria and New Zealand on their first ever World Cup win 🏡🇳🇿 https://t.co/3eRj6dOx4W

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) July 20, 2023

New Zealand make history! The Ferns’ bench spill onto the pitch in celebration as the full time whistle blows.

Wilkinson’s lone strike has given the Ferns their first ever World Cup win, what a moment for the co-hosts!

Full time: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

A cross from Haavi is miskicked by Hegerberg, but it falls to Reiten, who must score from a few yards out – but snatches at it with her left foot and scuffs it wide.

90+7 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

New Zealand hang on without too much trouble as a scuffed Norway cross from the left drops onto the roof of the net.

Nine minutes of stoppage time seems a little excessive but the Ferns are looking calm with four minutes left.

90+5 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Hand makes way for Rennie as five minutes of stoppage time stand between the Ferns and their first World Cup win.

90+4 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Bjelde goes down with a cramp and is unceremoniously carried off the pitch by two teammates and dumped on the touchline as Norway urgently seek an equaliser. She seemed to enjoy it though, as she was all smiles while being carried.

90+1 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Percival steps up… and misses! It was almost the perfect penalty, high and to the right – but just a fraction too high as it hits the bar.

Nine minutes of stoppage time added.

89 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

After a VAR review at the monitor for a possible handball by Norway in the box, the referee announces to the stadium … a penalty! The Ferns get the chance to wrap it up.

89 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Maavi picks up a yellow for barging over Riley.

A minute later Wilkinson gets a standing ovation as she makes way – what a performance.

85 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Norway’s Hansen hits a vicious, curling shot from outside the box, but New Zealand’s keeper seems to get the slightest of touches on it and the ball hits the bar and bounces to safety.

The Ferns are maybe tiring as Norway come looking to salvage something from the game.

81 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

The attendance of over 42,000 breaks New Zealand’s record, exceeding the men’s tally of 37,000 in a qualification match. Not quite a sell-out though, as the stadium holds about 50,000, but still a record and the majority of fans here will be delighted with what they’ve seen.

80 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

It’s Wilkinson causing havoc yet again – she receives a great ball down the left, draws two defenders and cuts back inside. She slots a perfect ball across the outside of the box to Percival, who hits it sweetly with the top of her right foot but the ball just sails past the post.

Another great attack from the Ferns and they should be more than one up in a totally dominant second half display.

76 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Another great ball down the wing – this time Hassett finds Percival in space with a perfectly weighted pass. Norway recover to force a corner.

Percival swings it in, Mikalsen comes but doesn’t get there, but one of her defenders does and clears.

72 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Wilkinson is still full of running – she bursts down the inside left and works the ball into the box, only for it to be cleared.

Then Norway attempt an attack by hitting an aimless long ball that is easily mopped up.

72 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

The excellent Stott makes way for Bunge. The Brighton centre back has put in a great shift and some fresh legs are probably required.

70 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

A rare Norway attacks ends with a shot-cum-cross that floats high on and onto the roof of the New Zealand net.

67 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

Riley finds space on the right, cuts inside onto her left foot and sends a shot floating towards the far corner but the Norwegian keeper gets a palm to it to knock it out for a corner.

62 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway

New Zealand come again. Bott has a chance but she slips over and her shot trundles wide.

64 mins: New Zealand 1-0 Norway