Hannah Wilkinson scored to open the second half, and New Zealand went on to beat Norway 1-0 on Thursday for its first-ever win at the Women’s World Cup, just hours after a shooting in downtown Auckland shocked the host nation.
A gunman stormed a high-rise construction site near Norway’s team hotel and opened fire, killing two people. The gunman was found dead after a police shootout.
There was increased security at Eden Park stadium, where 42,137 people—a record crowd for a football match in New Zealand — were on hand to cheer on the home team, co-hosts of the tournament with Australia. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was among those at the game.
After an opening ceremony that honoured New Zealand’s Indigenous heritage, there was a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting. Four people were wounded in the attack, including a police officer.
New Zealand got the nod to stage the first game, although co-host Australia’s match against Ireland in Sydney started about an hour later.
The Football Ferns had played in five previous World Cups but hadn’t won a match.
(This news is published through a syndicated feed courtesy SportsStar – The Hindu)
