New Zealand and Australia are currently hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 32 teams from around the world will battle their war through the tournament to crown themselves as champions. The hosts kicked off the first match-day with Norway and the Republic of Ireland playing New Zealand and Australia respectively.
New Zealand, in particular, had a great opening day to the tournament, as they edged out a narrow victory against the former World Cup champions. This victory would surely pave the way for even greater things to come.
New Zealand beat Norway at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 opener
New Zealand women’s soccer team pulled off an unexpected upset, defeating defending champions Norway 1-0. Both teams observed a moment of silence at Eden Park in Auckland to reminisce about the victims of a mass shooting in the city earlier in the Day. Kiwis center-forward Hannah Wilkinson was the difference between the sides, netting a goal just after half-time.
New Zealand fared fairly well in their first-ever win in a World Cup tie. The first half was all about repelling and cutting down the dangers put forth by Norway. However, the tides changed in the second half as New Zealand got an early lead and held on to it by dominating in the half.
With 42,137 fans in attendance, the roars were loud when the ball bulged the back of the net. Although Norway was given a penalty in the last second, they were unable to convert it into a goal. The nerves could be felt throughout the stadium when Ria Percival stepped up to take the penalty and missed.
Auckland shooting ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Despite New Zealand’s first-ever victory in a World Cup tie, the mood around the city was not happy due to an unfortunate event that transpired earlier in the day. A mass shooting took place in Auckland’s Central Business Center hours before the tournament’s kick-off. The country’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins assured that the FIFA World Cup will go ahead as planned despite shouts of a “security threat” equally to the populace and the traveling contingents.
The shooting, which involved a shooter who was subsequently pronounced dead, happened in the vicinity of a fan park with congregating football supporters. In a video shared on social media, several consecutive gunshots can be heard. The neighborhood was horrified as the calamity played out.
BREAKING: Multiple people killed in Auckland, New Zealand mass shooting – NZHerald pic.twitter.com/COuI0A8IPl
— BNO News (@BNONews) July 19, 2023
For many, the situation was profoundly sad suppressing the country’s mammoth win in the Tournament. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people that lost their dear ones today.
