New Zealand - Norway summary: score, goals, highlights, 2023 Women’s World Cup
New Zealand vs Norway: WWC 2023 opener as it happened
Peeep peeep peeep! New Zealand have kicked off with three points, and have finally tasted victory in a Women’s World Cup game! Hannah Wilkinson's goal wins it for the co-hosts, who in the end were not made to rue that late penalty miss by Ria Percival.
The celebrations are, understandably, wild. The Football Ferns' head coach, Jitka Klimkova, looks positively overjoyed. She punches the air in delight as she comes onto the field to congratulate her players.
Having got their first win on the board in their 16th World Cup game, New Zealand head to the top of Group A and have given themselves a fabulous platform on which to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
As for Norway, they really were underwhelming - particularly in the second half. They did end up creating chances to equalise, but they can have no complaints at losing, either.
The Scandinavians are now in grave danger of repeating last summer's group-stage exit at Euro 2022.
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Oh, that is a big chance for Norway. Hegerberg touches down Haavi's cross to Reiten, who has space to shoot from 12 yards or so out. Reiten completely scuffs her strike, however, and it dribbles wide. Pretty much everyone of a Norwegian persuasion inside Eden Park holds their head.
Engen tries to force her way into the New Zealand box, but her path to goal is blocked.
Two minutes left.
My word, that cross from Haavi is so close to looping over Esson and into the net. It's a left-wing delivery that she completely slices, in truth, and the ball floats just over the bar and onto the top of the net. A let-off for the hosts, who are now just four minutes away from their first World Cup three points.
New Zealand also make a change, Hand coming off for Gabrielle Rennie.
Bjelde has been replaced, with Anja Sonstevold on for Norway.
There's a short stoppage in play because Bjelde is down with something - looks like it's just cramp, actually.
What an opportunity spurned.
And there will be nine minutes of time added on at Eden Park. Will New Zealand come to rue that miss?
Percival misses the penalty!
She sidefoots her spot-kick towards Mikalsen's top corner, but gets just too much height on it. It bounces off the crossbar, and away!
Penalty given! I think the official's main doubts surrounded whether or not Hansen was actually inside the box or not.
New Zealand have the chance to seal the points - and seal a first ever Women's World Cup win.
We have another VAR check for another possible Norway handball in the box. Steinmetz's cross hits Hansen's arm, and said arm does appear to be outstretched.
Another substitution for New Zealand, who replace Wilkinson - to a huge ovation - with Satchell.
Haavi gets what I make to be the first yellow card of the game - and the World Cup - after bundling Hassett over.
Norway are just starting to up the pressure on the hosts.
Graham Hansen jinks away from Ali Riley and Hassett, before advances into the box. With players waiting in the middle, however, the Barcelona winger's cross is cut out.
Just as I say that, of course, Norway hit the woodwork!
The ball is laid off to Hansen, who's arriving at speed just outside the New Zealand area - and her sidefooted effort bounces back off the bar!
As they look for an equaliser, Norway are feeding the ball out to the left a lot. Bjelde scuttles towards the byline and cuts it back, but nobody in a white shirt can get on the end of the delivery.
That Maanum chance aside, the Norwegians really have created precious little since going behind.
Oh, Percival is not far away from thumping in a second for New Zealand!
It's great work again from Wilkinson, who holds it up on the left before laying it off to the top of the box. A gaggle of players in black are waiting for the ball, and in the end it's Percival who strikes - but she slices it ever so slightly, and it flies off target!
Another change for Norway, who are starting to run out of time. Maanum is off, with Vilde Boa Riise on.
Hassett slips a neat through ball into the run of Percival on the left. She wins a corner, which she will take herself.
Percival's looping delivery is too close to Mikalsen, but the Norway keep rather flaps at it, and the Scandinavians are fortunate to see the ball bounce clear.
That's nice build-up play from New Zealand. Peeling off to the left, Wilkinson cuts it back to Hassett, who clips a curling cross over to the far post. Indiah-Paige Riley is waiting at the back stick, but can't connect.
New Zealand make their first substitution, replacing Rebekah Stott with Claudia Bunge. Stott gets a deserved ovation as she leaves the field.
Norway again get Haavi on the ball, and the substitute powers down the left flank into a good crossing area. That's where it all goes wrong for her, though: she slices her delivery behind for a goal-kick.
Haavi lashes in a shot at goal from range, but Percival is standing in the way and blocks. It hits her squarely in the chest, and she needs a moment or two to get her breath back.
Norway have 25 minutes to get themselves back into this. Lose tonight, and they'll be in danger of repeating their group-stage exit at last summer's Euros.
That's a smart stop from Mikalsen, who has to look alive to prevent Indiah-Paige Riley from doubling New Zealand's advantage. Controlling the ball on the right-hand corner of the box, Riley aims a pot shot at Mikalsen's top right-hand corner, but the Norway keeper parries!
Hegerberg cuts inside and feeds it to Reiten, who bursts forward towards the box - only to be dispossessed. Cue huge cheers from the home fans.
What a chance that is for Norway! They've been thoroughly second best since the break, but Maanum has a golden opportunity to bring the Scandinavians level!
Found at the near post, with time to control and pick her spot from 12 yards out, she fires wide!
Wilkinson wheels away in delight after giving New Zealand the lead.
(Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)
Norway make a change. Blakstad is off, with Haavi on in her stead.
Blimey, New Zealand are really on top now. Again they get Hand streaking down the right wing, with Harviken giving chase. Harviken lunges into a tackle that has the home fans screaming for a free-kick on the edge of the Norway box, but the referee says no. Norway clear.
Oh, hello. We have a pause as VAR checks a possible handball in the box by Norway's Harviken.
No penalty is finally the decision.
The hosts really have their tails up now. Riley drives towards the Norway byline, and forces Norway to scramble it clear.
Are New Zealand on their way to their first ever win at a Women's World Cup? That first-half Maanum chance aside, Norway really haven't created a whole lot of major substance going forward, and must now react.
Goal! New Zealand 1-0 Norway - Wilkinson gives the hosts the lead!
From the goal-kick, New Zealand work it right to Hand, who streaks into crossing space. She barely needs to look up before drilling a low cross into the middle to Wilkinson, who sidefoots home from close range! Eden Park erupts.
You certainly cannot begrudge the Football Ferns their lead.
Hansen digs over a deep cross for Norway, with Maanum waiting at the back post. Maanum can't quite get her head to it, and...
Peeeep! We're back underway at Eden Park.
No half-time changes for either side.
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Some related reading for you: my colleague Kieran Quaile has put together a look at the three young players you should be keeping an eye out for at this Women's World Cup.
New Zealand's Catherine Joan Bott (centre right) battles with Norway's Guro Reiten (centre left).
(Photo: EFE/EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG)
Peeep peeep peeeep! That's half time.
New Zealand can be very happy indeed with that half of football. They're yet to truly test Mikalsen, but they've played very well in what has been an even first 45.
That said, Norway have probably had the clearest opening, when Maanum blazed over from 12 yards out.
New Zealand are pushing for an opener before half time. Wilkinson shows great hussle to win the ball back on the edge of the Norway area and barrel into the penalty area.
She's driven a little wide, but still has a good angle to get a shot in - but Bjelde does well to get back and block!
On the right wing, Indiah-Paige Riley does ever so well to wriggle away from two white shirts and play it back to Bott, who is waiting in crossing space in the right-hand channel. She lifts it into the area, but it's too close to Mikalsen, who is swiftly out to claim.
Ali Riley streaks down the left wing, approaching the Norway box. Just as she's about to deliver the ball into the middle, however, Graham Hansen does very well to track back and dispossess her.
New Zealand's Betsy Hassett (left) tussles with Norway's Thea Bjelde.
(Photo: EFE/EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG)
A moment later, Graham Hansen and Hegerberg combine again - but it's a great block by Stott! The Barcelona winger scuttles forward towards the right-hand byline, before laying it back to Hegerberg, who has peeled off into space at the near post. She pulls the trigger first time, but Stott makes herself big!
Hand loses it on the halfway line, in an area where she really doesn't want to be losing it. Graham Hansen dashes forward and attempts to feed a through ball into the path of Hegerberg, but just overhits it. Had she got the right weight on it, Hegerberg was through.
Just as I sing New Zealand's praises, a stray ball out from the back gives Norway a chance to catch the Football Ferns out on the break. Hegerberg's pass forward is wayward, however, and the hosts clear.
Yet again New Zealand earn a free-kick a few yards inside the Norway half.
It's lifted deep to the left-hand post once more, and Wilkinson nods it on into the middle. Nobody in a black shirt is there to gobble up the lay-off, though, and the chance is lost. Mikalsen scampers off her line to grab the ball.
New Zealand are enjoying a decent little spell right now.
Riley draws coos of appreciation from the Eden Park faithful when she produces a neat change of feet to jink past Engen on the right win. She runs out of room, however, and ends up carrying the ball over the byline.
Blakstad turns on the left wing and lifts a ball into the middle towards Hegerberg, but Esson is quickly off her line to claim the ball. The home supporters voice their approval at the keeper's commanding play.
Engen tries to feed a ball forward to Hegerberg on the edge of the box, but New Zealand's defence stands firm.
Just under half an hour gone, and it's been a very even game so far.
Steinmetz gets her head down and barrels towards the Norway box. She's dispossessed when Harviken boots away on the edge of the box, but that gets the home fans off their seats once more.
A moment later, the hosts lift it into the Norway box, but it's right down Mikalsen's throat and she claims with ease.
That's the first moment of real quality, and Norway spurn an opportunity to take the lead!
Hegerberg nods a left-wing cross down to Maanum, who is arriving in the New Zealand box at pace. Maanum chests it down and strikes at goal, but doesn’t quite catch the bouncing ball right, and lashes it over.
That’s the best chance so far tonight.
The corner is delivered deep to the back post, where Hegerberg rises highest to meet it - but can't turn it goalwards.
The two teams are trading attacks. Norway come forward and work it right to Graham Hansen, who bursts to the byline and wins a corner when her attempted cross is turned behind.
The corner comes to nought, but it's been a very decent start from the home team. Even stevens so far in Auckland.
New Zealand win another free-kick just inside the Norway half, and Bowen stands over it once more.
She plays it a little deeper into the Norway box this time, and Blakstad has to head it behind for a corner.
Wilkinson is looking very lively on the right wing. A deep ball down the flank again finds the forward, who again runs at a back-pedalling Norway backline. She then checks back and plays it inside, and loses it. Nevertheless, she's proving a very useful outlet for the hosts.
A moment later, Hassett finds a pocket of space in the left-hand channel. She looks up and sends in a cross, but it's blocked.
Back come New Zealand, who win a free-kick just inside the Norway half.
Bowen lifts it into the mixer, but Norway clear.
A minute later, Hegerberg is again at the centre of the action when she tries to beat Esson with an acrobatic effort! Her attempt at an overhead kick doesn't quite come off, though. She balloons it high and off target.
Having flirted with conceding an early opener, Norway create their first opening of real substance. New Zealand goalkeeper Esson flaps rather at a left-wing cross, and the ball falls towards Hegerberg on the penalty spot. Thankfully for the Football Ferns, the Ballon d'Or winner can't gather it; had she been able to bring the ball under her control, that was probably 1-0.
New Zealand get the decibels rising inside Eden Park for the first time.
First, Wilkinson streaks into the Norway box and to the right-hand byline, before cutting it back. The Norwegians get themselves in a frightful muddle, but hack it clear. The clearance is only as far as Steinmetz, who lashes over from 25 yards or so out. Promising from the hosts.
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By the way, I neglected to furnish you with our Norway team guide, published as part of the Guardian's experts' network.
Here it is, written by Christina Paulos Syversen for TV2 Norge.
Norway come forward for the first moment of attacking danger, when Graham Hansen receives on the right wing and tries to slip the ball into Hegerberg's run into the penalty box. It's cut out.
Peeeep!
After an impeccably observed minute's silence, we're underway. The 2023 Women's World Cup is up and running.
Minute's silence before kick-off
In the wake of today's shooting in the centre of Auckland, there is going to be a minute's silence before we get going at Eden Park.
Almost time for kick-off!
Next up, co-hosts New Zealand, who - as you might expect - give the anthem plenty of welly in front of their sizeable home support.
Almost time to go in Auckland! The match referee, by the way, is Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita.
The teams are out!
The opening ceremony ends - it really was very brief. (Mercifully so, if you ask me.)
Out come the teams, and it's anthem time. Norway first.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at Eden Park.
(Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
Benee performs "Do It Again" during the opening ceremony.
(Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
Watch: "Do It Again"
This is said World Cup song, which is a collaboration by two artists from the Women's World Cup's host nations: New Zealand’s BENEE and Australia’s Mallrat.
Next up, dancers representing each of the nations at the World Cup introduce us to the 32 teams taking part.
Then, as promised, we get a rendition of the tournament's official song, "Do It Again".
Match ball: Oceaunz
Right now, we're being shown the match ball for the Women's World Cup, Oceaunz.
My colleague Paul Reidy has the full lowdown on the Adidas ball.
Opening ceremony underway!
The opening ceremony is up and running at Eden Park. It's set to last for around 10 minutes.
It's key themes, we are told, are the tournament hosts' cultural origins; female empowerment; and unity through football.
Norway favourites to begin with win
As they attempt to recover from last year’s Euro disaster, the Norwegians are being tipped to begin with three points at the World Cup.
The Opta Analyst’s supercomputer gives the Norwegians a 52.4% chance of winning the game; NZ only have 21.8% chance of victory, the Analyst says.
Norway out to avenge Euro 2022 nightmare
Under national legend Hege Riise, Norway are bidding to bounce back from a disastrous campaign at Euro 2022 in England last summer. The Scandinavians, who are two-time European champions, went out in the group stage for the second straight Euros, after losing two out of three games.
Most notably, they were handed an 8-0 hammering by the hosts, who went on to win the trophy.
As you'll see from the graphic below, Norway have never missed a Women's World Cup.
They're one of just seven nations who have been at eight out of out so far, and are about to make it nine out of nine.
At a glance: Norway's WWC performances so far
Norway were runners-up at the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and won the tournament four years later, with current head coach Hege Riise starring for that team.
The Norwegians reached at least the semi-finals in four of the first five World Cups, but since then their impact on the competition has waned. They haven't been beyond the quarter-finals since 2007.
(Image: SofaScore)
Want to know a little more about the tournament's co-hosts?
I recommend you take a look at this team guide, written by RNZ's Maree Mahony, with additional reporting by Newsroom’s Locker Room. The guide is part of a collection of pieces put together on all 32 teams for the Guardian's experts' network, which AS is a member of.
New Zealand team news
This is how New Zealand are to line up for their opener against Norway:
At a glance: New Zealand's WWC performances so far
Having never won a Women's World Cup game, New Zealand have obviously never progressed beyond the group stage. (Actually, I say 'obviously', but Italy got through with three group-stage draws at the '82 men's World Cup, if memory serves).
Our colleagues at SofaScore have put together this rather dispiriting graphic of New Zealand's Women's World Cup record so far.
New Zealand searching for first WWC win
Once the opening ceremony is done, it will be time to get the ball rolling, as co-hosts New Zealand look to end their record of never having won a match at the Women's World Cup finals.
The Football Ferns have so far appeared in 15 World Cup games, across five separate tournaments, without victory.
No other nation has played more Women's World Cup matches, or featured at more finals, without winning a game.
Opening ceremony to feature official World Cup song
Around half an hour or so ahead of kick-off at Eden Park, we're set to witness the Women's World Cup's opening ceremony.
Not too much is known about what's in store during the ceremony, except that the World Cup’s official song, “Do It Again”, is to be performed. The track is a collaboration by two artists from the host nations: New Zealand’s BENEE and Australia’s Mallrat.
My colleague Paul Reidy has more on the 2023 World Cup song.
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And my colleague Roddy Cons has put together this look back at the first ever Women's World Cup just over three decades ago. Back then, it wasn't even called the World Cup, as FIFA remained reluctant to bestow the name on the tournament.
Instead, it was known by the ever so snappy title "FIFA World Championship for Women's Football for the M&M's Cup". Christ.
And if you know your history...
If you'd like to fill yourself in a little on the history of the Women's World Cup, which first took place as a 12-team event in 1991, let me point you in the direction of this wonderful cartoon by the always brilliant David Squires.
Biggest Women's World Cup yet almost here
We'll obviously keep you abreast if any further major developments arise around this morning's shooting, but for now I'm going to turn my attentions back to the football. It's now just over an hour before the ninth Women's World Cup kicks off - the biggest yet in the tournament's 32-year history.
I mean that not only in terms of the number of teams taking part - up by eight to 32 - but also the impact it is set to have on the football world. Ticket sales for Australia and New Zealand have already broken the Women's World Cup's previous record, with around 1.4 million seats - and counting - sold for the event.
Today's opening game is expected to see around 43,000 fans turn out at Eden Park - a record attendance for a football match in New Zealand.
"Today is another reminder of everything being relative"
We certainly second these thoughts from Guardian reporter Jeff Kassouf:
Norway's "deepest thoughts" with shooting victims
The Norway team has released a statement on the Auckland shooting:
“After the sad incident in Auckland this morning, the whole Norwegian team wants to express our deepest thoughts with those affected, their families and the people of Auckland/Tamaki Makaurau and Aotearoa/New Zealand.”
All FIFA officials, football teams safe - Auckland mayor
Auckland's mayor, Wayne Brown, has said that all FIFA personnel and football teams involved in the World Cup are safe and have been accounted for.
Brown, who described himself as "shocked and saddened" by the shooting, said in a statement: “I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in our beautiful city. This morning’s events have been tragic and distressing for all Aucklanders, as this is not something that we are used to.
The city council has confirmed that the FIFA Fan Festival at Auckland's Queen's Wharf will now not open today as previously planned, "out of deep respect for those who lost their lives and those affected".
FIFA: Shooting "not related to football operations"
In a statement confirming that New Zealand vs Norway will go ahead, FIFA said it has been advised that the shooting was "not related to football operations".
"FIFA extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the incident which occurred this morning in Auckland, New Zealand, and our thoughts and prayers remain with those who have been injured in this tragic incident," the governing body said.
"Immediately following the incident, President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura were in communication with the New Zealand authorities.
"FIFA has also been in constant contact with the participating teams affected by this incident.
"FIFA has been informed that this was an isolated incident that was not related to football operations and the opening match tonight at Eden Park will proceed as planned."
Auckland shooting: what we know
Two people have been killed, and six others injured, after a gunman opened fire at a building site in central Auckland on Thursday morning, at about 7am local time.
The gunman has been shot dead, New Zealand Police have confirmed.
“We have not formally identified the offender however we believe the man is a 24-year-old," police said in a statement. "We understand that he has worked at construction site and we believe the reason for his presence at the site this morning was connected with that work.”
Police added: "We are satisfied there is no ongoing risk to the public and no reason why the [Women's World Cup] should not proceed – the matches are safe to attend.”
New Zealand vs Norway: welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the opening game of the 2023 Women's World Cup, as co-hosts New Zealand take on Norway in a Group A clash at Auckland's Eden Park.
FIFA, world soccer's governing body, has confirmed that the match will go ahead as planned, despite the shocking news that two people have been killed in a shooting in Auckland city centre just hours before the World Cup gets going.
Kick-off is about 90 minutes away, with the World Cup's opening ceremony set to begin about half an hour before the game.