On Thursday, New Zealand defeated Norway 1-0 for its first-ever victory in the Women’s World Cup, scoring to start the second half. The Football Ferns won on a day that began tragically. Moments after a shooting in downtown Auckland stunned the host nation, Hannah Wilkinson scored to start the second period and New Zealand went on to defeat Norway 1-0 on Thursday for its first-ever victory at the Women’s World Cup.
Two people were killed when a shooter barged into a high-rise construction site next to Norway’s team hotel and started shooting. After a shootout with the police, the shooter was discovered dead.
In order to support the home team, who are co-hosts of the competition with Australia, there was extra security at Eden Park stadium, where 42,137 spectators — a record crowd for a soccer match in New Zealand — were present. Chris Hipkins, the prime minister of New Zealand, attended the game.
After the game, he walked into the locker room to applaud the team for their motivational performance. There was a moment of silence for the shooting victims following an opening ceremony that celebrated the Indigenous heritage of New Zealand. In the attack, five individuals were hurt, including a police officer. The Football Ferns of New Zealand had competed in five prior World Cups, but they had never experienced victory.
We truly wanted to encourage young females all around the country, and I believe we succeeded in doing so tonight. “We demonstrated that anything is possible,” remarked skipper Ali Riley, her eyes filled with joy. The Ferns played strong defense in the initial half while Norway struggled to convert its opportunities. Rebekah Stott skillfully stopped Ada Hegerberg’s attempt in the 37th minute, keeping the game scoreless at the interval.
