For their first steps in their World Cup, the New Zealanders and the Australians won on Thursday against Norway and Ireland respectively.
A surprise and a snatch victory. The 2023 World Cup started on Thursday July 20 with New Zealand’s home success against Norway (1-0), while the Australians, also at home, managed to get the better of the valiant Irish (1-0). Enough to ensure the co-hosts of the tournament first place in groups A and B while waiting for the other meetings.
On the sidelines of the sportsman, this start of the World Cup was marked by a fatal shooting in Auckland, where the opening match was held. Franceinfo: sport summarizes what to remember from Thursday.
A shootout before New Zealand-Norway
In front of more than 42,000 spectators at Eden Park, a record figure for a football match in New Zealand, the Ferns surprised Norway (1-0) at the start of the competition to glean their first victory in a World Cup. Something to try to give balm to the heart to a country devastated by a deadly shooting, which occurred a few hours earlier in downtown Auckland.
“New Zealand football is shocked by the incident this morning”, the Football Federation of New Zealand said after a 24-year-old man opened fire in a building under construction. The drama took place near the hotels of several selections, including that of Norway. “At first we didn’t know what was going on, but the local TV and media eventually let us know”explained captain Maren Mjelde in a press release, adding that the players had been awakened by a helicopter and “a large number of emergency vehicles”.
Before the start of the World Cup, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster reassured residents that it was safe to get to the stadium. Police believed the attack was not directly related to the competition. A minute of silence was observed before each of the day’s meetings.
Australia win but lose Sam Kerr
If they won (1-0) against solid Irish thanks to a penalty from Steph Catley, the Australians fought in the absence of their star, Sam Kerr. Before the match, the selection announced the withdrawal of the Chelsea striker at least until the third group match, due to a calf injury contracted on Wednesday during training the day before the match.
“Sam will be unavailable for the next two games as the medical team will review his condition after our second game of the group stage”we could read on the Twitter account of the Matildas. The player will therefore miss the meeting against Nigeria, but still has a chance to make her comeback for the shock of group B against the Olympic champions of Canada.