Key occasions
Incredible scenes in Auckland. What a consequence. Not many would have picked that one earlier than this night, however there you go. Football, bloody hell. New Zealand have been good for his or her win – they fended off Norwegian assaults within the first half earlier than having fun with the higher of the second and delivering a knock-out blow by Hannah Wilkinson. Her title will now deservedly enter Eden Park folklore.
For Norway, it couldn’t be a worse begin. They have been disjointed and didn’t know take care of the Ferns’ second half show. Perhaps they’ll rely themselves unfortunate that Hansen’s effort struck the bar and didn’t nestle within the roof of the web, however additionally they benefitted from a slice of fine fortune, with Percival lacking an opportunity to seal victory from the penalty spot.
Full-time: New Zealand 1-0 Norway
90+10 minutes: When is that this going to finish? Now! There it’s! All over in Auckland! New Zealand stun Norway to win their first World Cup recreation!
90+9 minutes: We’re just about there now. Tension fills the air at Eden Park. The ball falls into the grateful arms of Esson! She’ll take her time in thumping the ball downfield.
90+8 minutes: Chance for Norway! Hegerberg stabs the ball to Reiten, however she will be able to’t apply a of completion from shut vary!
90+7 minutes: New Zealand are simply trying to run the clock down now. That’s all they need to do. The whistles are already coming from the stands – the gang need this one to finish.
90+6 minutes: Meanwhile, over in Sydney, huge huge information earlier than the opposite opening evening recreation – Australia’s Sam Kerr is not going to play in opposition to Ireland after having been dominated out with a calf damage. Get the newest with our different live weblog:
90+5 minutes: Gabi Rennie comes on as New Zealand make one other change.
90+4 minutes: Still New Zealand dangle on.
90+2 minutes: Bjelde has an issue right here and must get replaced by Anna Josendal. She’s down on the ground, however her teammates can’t wait – they choose her up themselves and run her off the pitch, earlier than dumping on the sideline! No time for niceties at this level!
90+1 minutes: Not fairly positive the place 9 minutes got here from.
90 minutes: What drama late within the recreation! And it’s not over but – 9 minutes of damage time to be performed!
89 minutes: NO! Percival hits the submit! Mikalsen was crushed, however the ball strikes the upright! Such are the margins!
88 minutes: What a second for New Zealand! Percival may have the possibility to seal victory for the Football Ferns!
86 minutes: Another penalty examine! Another handball shout, in opposition to Tuva Hansen! Play stalls, and the eyes of a nation are on the referee as she watches her display screen. It’s a Bott cross into the field that’s stopped by the arm of Hansen. And it’s given! PENALTY TO NEW ZEALAND!
85 minutes: The first yellow card of the evening is dished out to substitute Haavi. And one other change now: goalscorer Wilkinson departs to an incredible roar from the gang, what a efficiency from her. On comes Paige Satchell in her place.
84 minutes: I reckon that is going to be one-way site visitors for the ultimate six minutes now. That strike in opposition to the bar has actually given Norway hope.
83 minutes: The nook comes throughout, but it surely goes all through with none contact from a participant. That’s disappointing from Norway, and can give New Zealand an opportunity to breathe.
82 minutes: Corner to Norway now. And rapidly, New Zealand’s lead appears somewhat fragile. Can they dangle on?
81 minutes: Off the bar! Hansen smacks the woodwork with an outstanding long-range strike, with Esson nicely crushed!
80 minutes: Hansen intercepts a Steinmetz ball ahead and Norway can come ahead now. They’re on no account completed right here, by the best way.
“What an opening game this has been and the referee really deserves credit for playing her role in making it as good as it is,” Luke Pierce emails in. It’s a superb level. The ref has actually allowed the sport to movement, but in addition retained management.
77 minutes: Percival! Oooh! So near a second for the Football Ferns! She strikes it sweetly from the sting of the field and it flies simply extensive of the upright.
75 minutes: Into the final quarter of an hour and we’re getting very near historical past being made. The crowd attendance is introduced: 42,137. That’s a giant crowd for New Zealand and units a file for any soccer match within the nation – males’s or girls’s.
74 minutes: Back to the soccer. Actually, not simply but. Another change first: Manchester United’s Vilde Boe Risa comes on for Norway. She’s one in every of 108 gamers at this World Cup who play in England, the TV commentators have simply stated.
71 minutes: “I’m confused by Norway,” writes in Kári Tulinius. “On paper they should be one of the contenders for the title, but their play lacks fluency and is all too predictable for the New Zealand defence. I worry they’ll have another disappointing tournament, like last year’s Euros.” Far from their greatest efficiency tonight.
70 minutes: A reader electronic mail, from good friend of the live weblog Phil Withall! “It seems pretty much my luck, having got used to missing sporting events due to the time difference meaning I’m asleep when they happen, I’m now in the position where I miss most of the World Cup in Australia/New Zealand due to work commitments.” Sorry to listen to that Phil. “Once again the Guardian MBM is my saviour (both footballing and cricketing versions) I thank you.” Glad to be of service Phil.
69 minutes: New Zealand make their first change: Claudia Bunge of Melbourne Victory comes on to interchange the favored Stott.
66 minutes: Hassett now heads off on one other ahead run. Nothing comes of it however New Zealand actually are spectacular going ahead. Haavi tries to make a distinction for Norway once more, however her cross-shot from the Norway left bounces on prime of the Football Ferns web.
64 minutes: Down the opposite finish, and a few temporary respite for Norway as Haavi hammers an effort goalwards, but it surely by no means reaches its supposed goal as Percival bravely places her physique on the road.
63 minutes: Still New Zealand press ahead. This time Bott has a taking pictures probability, however her standing leg slides on the turf and her shot bounces harmlessly extensive. She permits herself a rueful grin.
62 minutes: Here come New Zealand once more, Hand goes over however the ball finds Riley, who curls a magnificence that appears destined to hit the again of the web till Mikelsen dives throughout and suggestions over the bar for a nook!
61 minutes: Wilkinson fires off a shot, a bit speculative this time, and it’s extensive of Mikalsen’s objective.
60 minutes: An hour gone, and New Zealand’s Football Ferns lead, in opposition to all-pre-match knowledge. Not solely that, however they’ve appeared good for his or her lead. Wilkinson up entrance specifically is inflicting issues.
59 minutes: Oh expensive! A nice alternative falls Maanum’s manner, however she will be able to’t capitalise! A stabbed effort from in entrance of objective goes extensive, and an important probability is spurned.
57 minutes: A bit extra element beneath on goalscorer and present Golden Boot chief Hannah Wilkinson.
56 minutes: Here’s a primary change for Norway, who actually need to do one thing if they’re to show this tide. Off goes Blakstad, on comes Emilie Haavi of Roma.
55 minutes: Hand once more will get previous Harviken, who’s below the cosh in the meanwhile. The Fern hits the deck within the field and the ball runs out of play. No penalty although, and Norway breathe a sigh of reduction.
54 minutes: The ball does hit Harviken’s arm, however solely after it deflects up off her leg, so no penalty. That might have been disastrous for Norway! Play continues, nonetheless 1-0 to New Zealand.
53 minutes: Hang on, what have we acquired right here? Looks like a examine for a penalty! There’s a little bit of confusion, however sure, there’s some session for a penalty – a potential hand ball within the Norway field!
52 minutes: Wilkinson is proving a handful for the Norway defence and it’s all New Zealand in the meanwhile!
50 minutes: Still New Zealand assault. Bott sends over a deep cross after a nook is performed all the best way again to close the midway line. Riley will get the ball and once more takes on her marker… beats her marker once more, however once more runs out of turf and the ball goes behind for a objective kick.
49 minutes: Hannah Wilkinson scores first objective of this World Cup and what a objective it’s, on a day of such emotion in Auckland. New Zealand are on monitor to win their first ever recreation at a World Cup. Norway, in the meantime are shellshocked.
Goal! New Zealand 1-0 Norway (Wilkinson 48)
48 minutes: Incredible! What a begin to the second half! New Zealand take the lead after a Wilkinson sends Eden Park into delerium! Hand breaks away down the fitting hand aspect and her cross is inch good for Wilkinson who simply has to faucet dwelling!
Second half below manner
46 minutes: It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how lengthy Norway maintain with the present line-up earlier than making any modifications. We’re again below manner. No modifications for both aspect to let you know about on the break.
Well, that didn’t go fairly based on plan for Norway, with New Zealand belying their underdog standing with a terrific first-half efficiency of defensive vigour and no little attacking clout. Norway, in fact, stay harmful going ahead, however just a few moments of defensive uncertainty can be of concern. An intriguing second half awaits. Stick with us.
Half-time: New Zealand 0-0 Norway
45+1 minutes: Nothing comes of it, and that can be that for the primary half.
45 minutes: Wilkinson muscle tissues her manner by the Norwegian defence, till a perfectly-timed deal with from Bjelde prevents her from getting a shot away. Still, a nook to New Zealand!
44 minutes: It’s all New Zealand in the meanwhile. Norway are struggling to get the ball clear as the primary half attracts to an in depth.
43 minutes: Still New Zealand press on the entrance foot. Reilly does very well to maintain the ball alive down close to the nook flag, she lays it again to Bott who delivers the ball into the field together with her left foot. It’s first rate, however simply barely overhit this time.
41 minutes: Corner to New Zealand now… Percival pings it throughout but it surely’s simply cleared by a Norway head.
39 minutes: Here come New Zealand. Wilkinson performs it extensive to Reilly, however her foray ahead is ended by a bodily problem that the ref deems honest (nearly all of the gang don’t agree, maybe unsurprisingly).
37 minutes: Bott and Hansen collide, but it surely’s a good shoulder cost from the Norway participant, and it’ll be a Norway throw.
35 minutes: Oh! greatest probability of the sport! Graham-Hansen activates the after-burners down the fitting earlier than taking part in the ball inside to Hegerberg, however Stott is there to make an important block!
34 minutes: New Zealand have achieved very nicely up to now; they’ve defended resolutely but in addition loved moments of their very own going ahead. And the Norway defence has, at instances, didn’t persuade.
32 minutes: From the ensuing free-kick, Bowen delivers the ball in direction of Wilkinson on the again stick. She’s unmarked however her header again throughout the face of objective is simply too near Mikalsen and the keeper claims comfortably.
31 minutes: Blakstad is pulled up for an additional Norwegian foul and he or she’s given what looks as if a closing warning from the referee. A card is probably going the subsequent time she steps out of line.
30 minutes: Riley does nicely on the New Zealand proper, as she dances previous Engen, who’s caught a bit flat-footed. But she finally ends up working the ball out of play. Shame, as that was a stunning little bit of talent.
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