Sydney, July 20 (Xinhua) -- With the gunfire in Auckland in the early morning, the 2023 Women's World Cup, which was expanded to 32 teams for the first time, opened in New Zealand and Australia on the 20th. Although both hosts won on the first day of the competition, the shooting before the opening still cast a shadow over the event.
Police cars pass a women's World Cup bus in Auckland, New Zealand, July 20. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Zhao Gang)
The New Zealander could have celebrated his team's historic victory with a big bang. In the opening match, New Zealand won 1-0 against former world champions Norway to claim their first victory in the women's World Cup history. But less than 12 hours before the opening, a shooting occurred in downtown Auckland, where the opener was held, killing three people, including the gunman.
In another match on the same day in Sydney, Australia, another host team Australia struggled to win 1-0 against Ireland, who participated in the Women's World Cup for the first time. Before both matches, the players first observed a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting.
On July 20, players and referees lined up before the match. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Bai Xuefei
This Women's World Cup made several history, this is the first time that 32 teams have participated, the first time it has been held in the southern hemisphere, and the first time it has been jointly hosted by two hosts.
Witnessed by a record 42,137 New Zealand football spectators, the New Zealand team played the best match in the team's World Cup history. In the 48th minute of the game, New Zealand suddenly made a big move, Hender sent a precise cross from the right, and Hannah Wilkinson swept a push in the middle and broke the net. In the 81st minute, Tuva Hansen came close to equalising for Norway, but her long-range shot bounced off the crossbar. In the 89th minute, New Zealand won a penalty, but Percival's shot hit the crossbar hard.
New Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson (top left) celebrates a goal at a match on July 20. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Bai Xuefei
The New Zealander celebrated his first World Cup victory like a winner after the game. "For the victory of this moment, we have waited for many years." New Zealand coach Klimkova said.
Australians are also celebrating their victory. On that day, the Australian stadium poured 75,784 spectators, breaking the record for attendance for a women's football match in Australian history. With Catley's penalty in the 52nd minute, Australia finally beat Ireland 1-0 to get off to a "good start". In this fierce match, Australia withstood Ireland's fierce attack in the last ten minutes and won their first group game.
On July 20, Australian fans celebrate the team's victory. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hu Jingchen)
The Australian team, which has greatly improved in recent years, relied on the host advantage to confidently shout the slogan of the championship before the game. However, the pre-match captain and top scorer Kerr was injured and will miss at least two games, which greatly affected the team's strength.
On the 21st, the Women's World Cup will play three matches in Groups A, B and C.