Co-hosts New Zealand find their World Cup journey at an end as Norway smashed their way though to the knockout rounds.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files will give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.
DUNEDIN, New Zealand — Despite a 0-0 draw with Switzerland adding to what has been their best-ever tournament, New Zealand has been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup. Heartbreak, despair and thoughts of what could have been now rule the thoughts of the Football Ferns and Aotearoa as a footballing nation, accompanied by the tears that were shed on the surface in Dunedin following the final whistle.
And what will haunt even more is that those what-ifs won’t require any kind of far-fetched twists of fate to produce widely different outcomes, just the bounce of a ball or one delayed step to forever alter the trajectory of women’s football in New Zealand. What if Jacqui Hand’s effort against the Philippines hadn’t struck the post and bounced out, for instance? Or if her effort minutes later hadn’t been denied by a VAR review that ruled it out for offside? What if Hand’s burst into the box, looping effort over the head of Gaelle Thalmann against the Swiss had found the right side of the post and glanced in, rather than moved back into play? Now, we will never know.
As soon as Norway took a two-goal lead over the Philippines in Group A’s simultaneous kickoff on Sunday evening, one that eventually ended up as a six-goal rout, the Kiwis knew they had to find a way to win to claw their way back into the group’s top two. Their desperation as the game wore on was obvious. They hurdled themselves forward with increasing fervour with every passing missed opportunity and goalkeeper Victoria Esson abandoned all sense of caution as she repeatedly came up to contest long balls wafted into the penalty area hoping that chaos would result in a goal. Thanks to the rampant Norwegians, after all, a loss and a draw meant the same thing.
But there was to be no breakthrough, no hero that emerged. As harsh as it feels to bestow them with the label given they are arguably the most unheralded women’s footballing nation to stage it, the Football Ferns are now the first host nation in World Cup history to be eliminated in the group stages – albeit they could very well be joined by Australia on Monday evening. Of course, once the dust settles, it will most likely not be considered a disaster. That famous opening night at Eden Park, where Hannah Wilkinson dispatched Norway to hand her nation a first-ever World Cup win, will go some way towards providing a memory to soothe the pain.
The Swiss, meanwhile, are moving on as group winners. They hardly did it in the most impressive manner, recording two 0-0 draws after downing the Philippines 2-0 in their opening game, but in tournament football that hardly matters. And, importantly, they will get to dodge whoever emerges victorious between Spain and Japan atop Group C, even if the loser will hardly present an easy foe themselves. — Joey Lynch
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– How teams can qualify for the round of 16
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — After two games filled with frustration, Norway delivered a resounding 6-0 victory over the Philippines to advance to the knockout rounds of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sophie Roman Haug recorded a hat trick, including an early pair of goals that settled Norway’s nerves. Caroline Graham Hansen delivered a goal of her own in the 31st minute to give the Norwegians a 3-0 half-time lead. Norway then added to its lead in the second half through an own goal from the Philippines’ Alicia Barker, a Guro Reiten penalty, and then a stoppage-time header from Haug to complete her treble. A 67th-minute red card to Philippines substitute Sofia Harrison added to the Filipinas’ misery.
Norway had looked well short of its best in losing to hosts New Zealand 1-0 and then tying Switzerland 0-0. There was dissension in the camp as well, with Hansen voicing her frustration at starting the Switzerland game on the bench, though she later apologized.
On this night the Philippines enjoyed a sizable edge in crowd support, but not on the field. With Hansen restored to the lineup, Norway looked dangerous from the outset, even without former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg, who missed her second straight match with a groin injury. The Philippines couldn’t cope with Norway’s edge in speed and height and soon found themselves under immense pressure.
Haug scored her first just six minutes into the match, connecting on a spectacular volley from Thea Bjelde’s cross. Haug’s second arrived just 11 minutes later, as she nodded home Vilde Boe Risa’s delivery from the right flank. Hansen then got in on the act, scoring from long range. Throughout the match, Philippines keeper Olivia McDaniel did her best to keep the scoreline down, delivering several outstanding saves.
As Norway continued to hunt goals in a bid to pad its goal differential, all eyes turned to New Zealand’s match with Switzerland to see who would win the group. Ultimately the Swiss hung on to claim top spot. Norway finished second in Group A and will face either Spain or Japan in the round of 16 in Wellington on Aug. 5. — Jeff Carlisle
Nouhaila Benzina has made history as the first player to play in a senior Women’s World Cup while wearing an Islamic headscarf.
