The ball is already rolling in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. After a festive and demanding ceremony at the Eden Park stadium (Melbourne), the first match of the World Cup event that is looking for a new World Cup soccer queen was played. New Zealand and Norway met in the opening match against a stadium that hung the banner of sold out weeks ago and which resulted in the surprising and historic victory of the co-host (1-0).
Star-studded Norway with the iconic Ada Hegerberg in their ranks as well as the azulgrana Caroline Graham-Hansen and Ingrid Engen, dashed his optimistic expectations. Hege Riise’s team found themselves outclassed at all times by the New Zealanders, who not only dominated the game and scored the only goal (hannah wilkinson in the 48th minute), but also allowed themselves the luxury of wasting a penalty (missed by Percival) in added time. Engen had previously shot at the post, but he never gave the feeling that Norway could lift the duel.
New Zealand, which achieved her first win in a women’s World Cupthus leads group A. Norway, for its part, will have to react in its next duels against Switzerland and the Philippines to qualify.
Before, in the Eden Park of Melbourne the inauguration ceremony had been developed. The cultural traditions of the two host nations, women’s empowerment and football unity were the main themes in a spectacle illuminated by the thousands of fans’ mobile phones that filled the stadium. Fireworks, music and dances. Nothing was missing at the premiere of the World Cup that will change women’s football forever.
This is going to be the World Cup that breaks all records. Of assistance, of spectators, of selections and of scope. 32 teams will meet for the first time in history to win the prestigious trophy. The stadiums will be full and the best soccer players in the world promise a show like no other. Despite the fact that Spain does not start among the favourites, Jorge Vilda’s team wants to close the gap with the great teams like the United States or England.
However, the World Cup has started with one of the worst possible news. Hours before the inauguration in the town of Auckland (New Zealand), one of the host cities of the selections, there has been a shooting that has left three dead. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, responded to the rumors of cancellation of the appointment to transmit “security” of those attending the opening ceremony and subsequent match of the Women’s World Cup after the event.
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“This has been an isolated incident. People should feel safe in Auckland and by attending the FIFA event tonight. There will be an increased police presence to provide that extra layer of public reassurance,” Hipkins said at a press conference.
Three people lost their lives – including the assailant – and six others were injured – including three seriously – in this shooting that occurred early in the morning at a construction site in the center of the city, the most populous in New Zealand, which, according to the authorities, may be due to a labor problem.