The final match day in Group A was as exhilarating as expected as Norway, who began the day in third place with just a point, thrashed debutants Philippines 6-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Sophie Roman Haug to register their first win in the tournament and progress into the round of 16.
Switzerland, on the other hand, were held to a goalless draw by co-hosts New Zealand, but La Nati still progressed to the next round as the unbeaten leaders of the group with five points, while despite all their efforts, the Football Ferns sadly crashed out of the tournament with a lesser goal difference than the Norwegians.
In the absence of star striker Ada Hegerberg, Norway began the tie at Eden Park on Sunday in smoking hot form, with Italy-based forward Roman Haug leading the pack early on with two brilliantly taken goals inside the first 17 minutes.
Caroline Graham Hansen added the Grasshoppers’ third a minute after the half-hour mark before Filippino defender Alicia Barker turned the ball into her own net for Norway’s fourth just three minutes after the second half restart.
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— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 30, 2023
Highly-rated Chelsea midfielder Guro Reiten opened her account in the tournament with a sublime finish in the 53rd minute as the Philippines were reduced to ten players following Sofia Harrison’s straight red card just ten minutes after coming on.
Sophie Roman Haug completed her treble of goals in the 95th minute to lead her side to an unbelievable victory and leapfrog New Zealand into the round of 16, where they will play the winner of Group C, one of Japan or Spain.
Switzerland and New Zealand played out the fourth goalless draw of the tournament so far and their second in two matches after a matchday stalemate against Norway.
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— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 30, 2023
Although the home side pressed in search of the all-important winner, La Nati held on for victory to remain unbeaten and unbreached at the back with three clean sheets from as many games so far.
The Inka Grings-led side will face the second-placed team in Group C, either Japan or Spain, on Saturday, August 5.
