New Zealand’s historic 1-0 success against Norway, its first in a World Cup, brightened Thursday an opening disrupted by a shootout in Auckland, and tarnished by the injury of Australian star Sam Kerr. The inaugural day of the World Cup ends with a duel between Australia and Ireland (12 noon) in Sydney, where 75,000 spectators are expected to support the “Matildas”. The New Zealand public answered the call, with 42,137 spectators amassed in the famous Eden Park, a record for a football match in the archipelago, according to the local Federation. The organizers hope that this fervor will accompany this ninth edition, programmed to accelerate the development of women’s football, between growing professionalization and commitments to equality. On the pitch, the New Zealand “Football Ferns” were up to the challenge, against Norway’s Ballon d’Or Lyonnaise Ada Hegerberg, in an opening match that got carried away after half-time. A goal from striker Hannah Wilkinson (48th) gave them a first victory (1-0) in the competition, on their sixteenth attempt. The meeting, charged with emotions, was preceded by a minute of silence in tribute to the two people who died in a shooting that occurred earlier in the center of Auckland. The shooter also lost his life.
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