Co-hosts New Zealand and Australia both kicked off their Women’s World Cup campaigns to 1-0 victories against Norway and the Republic of Ireland respectively.
New Zealand recorded an impressive 1-0 triumph over Norway in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opener.
It was New Zealand’s first win on the global stage as they shocked pre-match favourite Norway.
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It was Hannah Wilkinson who grabbed that vital goal three minutes into the second half to gift New Zealand all three points in front of 42,137 fans at Eden Park.
The co-hosts could have even extended their lead but Ria Percival missed an 89th-minute penalty. Tuva Hansen had been penalised for a handball which resulted in the spot kick.
It was a night to remember for the New Zealanders as the nation had failed to win any of their previous 15 World Cup games.
Norway, the 1995 world champions, should have pulled one back soon after Wilkinson’s goal but Arsenal’s Frida Maanum missed a precious opportunity.
Meanwhile, there was a minute’s silence before kick-off for the victims of a deadly shooting in Auckland earlier on Thursday.
Australia 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Australia also won their first match of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, defeating debutants Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Sydney.
Steph Catley’s second-half penalty was enough to secure a narrow win for the co-hosts.
Catley was standing in as captain in place of formidable forward Sam Kerr. The Chelsea star suffered a calf injury during training just a day to the game.
Surprisingly, the Republic of Ireland frustrated the Matildas in the first forty-five. However, they experienced a set back when Marissa Sheva pushed Hayley Raso in the box. Brazilian referee Edina Alves wasted no time in pointing to the spot, signalling a penalty.
Kerr will also miss Australia’s second game against Nigeria.
The Republic of Ireland failed to make their chances count as they missed back-to-back opportunities. Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn all came close to scoring an equaliser but fluffed their lines.
With the Irish side having only 29% of the possession, you’d expect Australia to open up enough chances by converting their larger possession to goalscoring opportunities.
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However, the Matildas could not produce clear-cut chances from open play. Their best chance of the first half came when Raso headed narrowly wide following a corner. Infact, the Republic players looked more dangerous, especially on the counter.
Catley’s goal two minutes before the hour mark spurred the record 75,784 home crowd to life. Mary Fowler, Gorry and Lucy Quinn all failed to find the back of the net thereafter.
Both New Zealand and Australia will head into their next group games full of confidence. New Zealand will face Philippines in their next Group A match of the Women’s World Cup while Australia battle Nigeria in Group B.
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