Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Ireland face Canada in Group B clash as Spain and Japan advance

The Women’s World Cup continues as the Republic of Ireland fight to keep their hopes alive against Olympic champions Canada in a pivotal Group B clash.

Defeat would put Ireland on the brink of elimination following their opening loss to co-hosts Australia, while Canada are looking to bounce back from their draw against Nigeria.

Elsewhere today, both Spain and Japan qualified for the last-16 with a match to spare as they continued their impressive early form in Group C. Japan cruised to a 2-0 win against Costa Rica before Spain thrashed Zambia 5-0, with both teams moving to six points to advance to the knockout stages. Monday’s meeting between Spain and Japan will decide who goes through as group winners, while Zambia and Costa Rica are already out with a match left to play.

On Tuesday, co-hosts New Zealand were stunned by debutants Philippines, who claimed their first ever victory at the tournament with a 1-0 win in Wellington. The result blew Group A wide open and all four teams are still able to advance after Norway were held to a goalless draw by Switzerland in the day’s late kick-off.

Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest updates

• The Women’s World Cup continues in Australia and New Zealand

• Ireland face Canada in crucial Group B clash (13:00 BST)

• Spain qualify for knockout stages with 5-0 victory over Zambia

• Japan join Spain in last-16 after 2-0 win against Costa Rica

Women’s World Cup

12:08 , Mike Jones

Who will win between Portugal and Vietnam?

One team could earn its first ever victory in the Women’s World Cup when Portugal and Vietnam meet in Group E.

Odds were stacked against both teams when they landed in the same group as the United States and 2019 runner-up the Netherlands. It’s the first appearance at the World Cup for both Portugal and Vietnam, and both were losers in the opening matches against the two powerhouses.

Portugal’s tournament started with a 1-0 loss to the Dutch and Vietnam dropped a 3-0 match to the Americans. Both teams now have a chance to score their first World Cup goals in the match played in Hamilton, New Zealand, and, perhaps even grab a win.

The loser of this match will likely be eliminated from advancing in the tournament with a game remaining in group play.

Women’s World Cup

11:59 , Jamie Braidwood

France captain Wendie Renard is a doubt for Saturday’s key Women’s World Cup group game against Brazil after injuring her calf.

Renard, 33, strained her calf in France’s 0-0 draw with Jamaica in Sydney on Sunday, although completed the full 90 minutes as one of the pre-tournament favourites made a stuttering start to their campaign.

The surprise draw against the Caribbean islanders puts France under pressure for their second Group F game in Brisbane at the weekend, especially after Brazil beat Panama 4-0 in their opener.

Striker Naomie Feller also missed training after a thigh knock against Jamaica but Selma Bacha, who sprained her left ankle in the warm-up friendly against Australia a fortnight ago, is back training as is Elisa de Almeida, who also missed out on Sunday with a calf problem.

Reuters

Women’s World Cup

11:50 , Mike Jones

There are some injury worries for World Cup co-hosts, Australia.

They opened the tournament with captain and star player Sam Kerr out injured for at least two matches, and now Kerr’s replacement is hurt, too, heading into a Group B match against Nigeria.

Mary Fowler joined Kerr on the injury list one day before the Thursday match in Brisbane. Fowler, a striker who also plays for Manchester City, suffered a concussion in a recent practice.

The Matildas pulled out a 1-0 victory over Ireland in their opening match and now their squad depth will be tested as they look to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

“I think we could play any one of us right now in the starting 11 and it would be the same as what we do on the training pitch,” midfielder Tameka Yallop said earlier this week. “I think everyone has that ability and capability to step up and be a star at any point.”

Nigeria were over the moon with their 0-0 draw against Canada in the opening match, and the Super Falcons have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four matches.

The big moment in that game was when goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stopped Canada star Christine Sinclair’s penalty kick and if the African side can avoid defeat to Australia too, they’ll have a remarkable chance of reaching the next round.

Women’s World Cup

11:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Australia’s injuries continue to mount at the Women’s World Cup with forward Mary Fowler and defender Aivi Luik joining Sam Kerr on the sidelines for Thursday’s Group B clash against Nigeria.

Fowler and Luik suffered mild concussions in separate incidents during Tuesday’s training, while Kerr, the team’s leading scorer with 63 goals, has a calf injury that kept her out of Australia’s 1-0 win over Ireland in their opening game. She will be re-evaluated after the Nigeria game.

“Morale is high. There’s not too much I need to do to be honest, I think everyone’s very focused,” said Steph Catley, who scored the lone goal on a penalty versus Ireland. “Everyone knows we need to keep the morale high.

“(Injuries) are not what you want ever in a tournament and, in particular, this tournament...as Australian players probably the biggest moment of our careers. But it’s football and it happens to every single footballer on the entire planet. It’s how the rest of the squad bounces back and performs in a high-pressure situation in the biggest games.”

Reuters

Women's World Cup rematch pits United States against ailing Dutch squad

11:30 , Mike Jones

The United States and the Netherlands meet again on the Women’s World Cup stage — with smaller stakes than the 2019 title game won by the Americans — and the Dutch team collecting injuries at a terrible time of the tournament.

The Netherlands will most likely be without forward Lineth Beerensteyn, who was hurt early in her team’s 1-0 victory over Portugal to open the tournament, when they play the Americans on Thursday in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington.

The Americans are the two-time reigning World Cup champions and Netherlands coach Andries Jonker said on the eve of the match “we would need a miracle” for Beerensteyn to be ready to play.

Women's World Cup rematch pits United States against ailing Dutch squad

Women’s World Cup

11:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Netherlands coach Andries Jonker is promising must-watch football when his team face four-times champions United States on Thursday in the Women’s World Cup group stage.

In a highly anticipated rematch of their 2019 final, the two sides will clash in Wellington with plenty on the line.

The United States are gunning for an unprecedented third straight title while the Dutch will want to revive the spirit of their 2017 European Championship win.

“This will be an example of modern women’s football. It will be a fight from the first minute until the last with teams who want to compete, teams who want to win, teams who respect each other, who both have no fear,” Jonker told reporters.

“Both want to win the group so this is going to be a really good match.”

Reuters

Fifa shuts down reporter questioning sexual misconduct allegations against Zambia coach

11:10 , Mike Jones

Fifa’s media officer intervened at a Women’s World Cup press conference on Tuesday 25 July to deflect questions about an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Zambia head coach Bruce Mwape.

“I’ll ask you to restrict the questions to the football and to the tournament only,” a media officer for the organisation is heard saying, after a reporter asked what effect the investigation into the allegations has on Zambia’s image.

Women’s World Cup LIVE

10:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Norway winger Caroline Graham Hansen has apologised for lashing out at coach Hege Riise after being dropped to the bench for Tuesday’s scoreless draw with Switzerland at the Women’s World Cup.

The 28-year-old was brought on as a second-half substitute at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium but the 0-0 draw left the former champions teetering at the exit of the tournament.

Graham Hansen vented her frustrations in a TV interview after the final whistle.

“I just want to apologise for my statements after the match. I’m just a human being with a lot of feelings,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

“Emotions got the better of me. I took the focus away from what matters, and that is being here to play the World Cup.”

Graham Hansen said she still “strongly disagreed” with the coach’s decision to leave her out of the starting line-up.

“But I respect that the coach decides, and she has the right to do what is best,” she added.

“I know it causes unrest around the team, when I speak out as I did yesterday. It was ... not the rational me.”

Reuters

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain underlined their credentials as pre-tournament favourites when they became one of the first teams to seal qualification for the Women's World Cup knockouts with a 5-0 win over Zambia in their second Group C encounter on Wednesday.

Teresa Abelleira opened the scoring while Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo scored twice to give Spain their second victory, which also assured Japan of last-16 qualification after they beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Abelleira settled any opening nerves when she picked up the ball after an intricate passing move in the ninth minute and fired a shot from long range that rocketed into the top corner. Four minutes later, Hermoso marked her 100th appearance for Spain with an easy header at the far post after Zambia failed to defend a cross from Alexia Putellas.

Spain continued to dominate after halftime although Zambia goalkeeper Eunice Sakala made several saves. But she was left stranded when Redondo was put through on goal as the forward rounded the 21-year-old keeper to make it 3-0.

Hermoso then grabbed her second - and 50th for Spain - when she pounced on a rebound off the post to fire home, a goal awarded after some confusion over the referee's initial announcement that it was ruled out for offside.

Redondo then beat the offside trap late in the game to score Spain's fifth, also awarded after a VAR review when the assistant referee flagged for offside.

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:40 , Jamie Braidwood

That was a cruise for Spain ever since jumping into that early lead after 15 minutes. Zambia posed them plenty of questions on the counter-attack but their final ball was poor all match and they were unable to ever trouble the Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez. After a flurry of substitutes, Alba Redondo came on with a mission and scored two quick goals as Spain racked up five, overtaking Japan on goal difference. That could be important ahead of Monday’s Group C decider, with Spain and Japan level on six points.

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Job done for Spain! They are through to the last-16 thanks to a five-star win against Zambia, a result which also sees Japan go through from Group C.

Zambia and Costa Rica are out with a game to spare.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:35 , Jamie Braidwood

90+8 mins: Racheal Kundananji drives forward for Zambia.... can they get their World Cup goal?! No - Kundananji’s shot is driven over.

At the other end, Sakala makes another save to deny Redondo her hat-trick. Redondo had leapt at the header by Sakala makes a great save to her right.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:33 , Jamie Braidwood

90+5 mins: There’s a worry for Real Madrid forward Athenea del Castillo, who hobbles off with an injury. Spain will play out the last few minutes with 10.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:27 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: We’re into eight minutes of added time and Zambia are heading for back-to-back 5-0 defeats. Sakala, who considering who she came into today’s game as Zambia’s third-choice goalkeeper, has been able to keep the score down, saving from the corner as Spain push for a sixth.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 5-0 Zambia

10:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain are hunting for that fifth goal and Alba Redondo has been on a mission since coming on to do it.... the flag goes up again as Redondo controls a cross from the right, beats the defender and finishes past Sakala...

... but it’s given onside! Spain have five! Redondo, the top scorer in Spain last season for Levante, has her second since coming on.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 4-0 Zambia

10:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Goal! Two in two minutes for Spain, and a second of the day for Hermoso! It’s a 50th goal for Spain for Hermoso, too, on what is her 100th appearance.

It was originally ruled out for offside, but VAR allowed it. The referee adds to the confusion by announcing ‘no goal... no offisde... no, no offisde, goal!’

We got there in the end.

Spain now only one goal behind Japan...

GOAL! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 3-0 Zambia

10:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant goal - and Spain have a third at last! A simple ball releases Alba Redondo, who rounds the goalkeeper and finishes into the empty net. That confirms the win and Spain’s place in the last-16.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

10:01 , Jamie Braidwood

66 mins: Save! Sakala palms Hermoso’s deflected effort wide, before substitute Irene Guerrero flashes a header wide from the resulting corner.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:58 , Jamie Braidwood

61 mins: Another change for Spain - this time it’s Bonmati who is being allowed a rest before the final game against Japan on Monday.

It looks like Spain are not going to go for the goal difference (they currently trail Japan by two goals, as it stands). A win against Japan would see them top Group A and go through as group winners, avoiding the USA until the semi-finals.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:54 , Jamie Braidwood

57 mins: It’s all quite scrappy now - Spain have lost some of the rhythm they were playing with in the first half. Banda is again released down the left, this time getting away from Parades. But again Zambia are unable to get a shot in at goal and the move breaks down.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:48 , Jamie Braidwood

52 mins: Chance! Bonmati is left with a free header, six yards out! But she heads down into the ground and Sakala does just enough to recover the ball on the goalline.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:47 , Jamie Braidwood

50 mins: Spain are still taking risks by playing a high line against Zambia and leaving a lot of space for Banda to run into - but the defending from Parades is superb again as the centre-back wins the challenge on the halfway line.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:40 , Jamie Braidwood

There are changes coming for Spain - three of them, in fact. Putellas is one of those who are coming off after an encouraging 45 minutes from the Barcelona star. Salma Paralluelo and Ona Batlle are off too.

Oihane Hernández, Alba Redondo and Eva Navarro are on.

HALF TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Here’s how Spain took the led. A stunning strike from the Real Madrid midfielder Teresa Abelleira, who has impressed quitely at the base of Spain’s midfield.

HALF TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:24 , Jamie Braidwood

And that’s that for now. Spain have a comfortable lead after two excellent early goals. Zambia have carried more threat since falling behind, with Barbra Banda testing La Roja with her running in behind, but the Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez hasn’t yet been troubled. Andres and Parades have defended well against Banda so far.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:23 , Jamie Braidwood

45+5 mins: WHAT A SAVE! This should be 3-0, and I’m not sure Bonmati knows how it isn’t. Paralluelo’s cross from the left is not cleared by the Zambia defence and it breaks to Bonmati six yards out. Her strike is crisp but straight at Sakala, who somehow manages to push it away.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:19 , Jamie Braidwood

45 min: There will be six minutes added on at the end of the half. One thing to watch out for in the second is goal difference: should Spain and Japan draw their final match they will be level on points and goal difference would decide who tops the group. Japan currently have +7, while Spain as it stands are on +5.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:15 , Jamie Braidwood

42 mins: Challenge! Banda looks to race away again and skip past the Spain high line, but Parades times her challenge to perfection as Banda burst into the box. The Barcelona centre-back gets her foot to the ball as she dives in - brilliant tackle, otherwise that was a penalty.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:10 , Jamie Braidwood

38 mins: No goal! Hermoso has the ball in the net for the second time, but she went a yard too early as Bonmati shaped up the cross.

Zambia have meanwhile made a double change - Susan Banda was carrying an injury, but Siomala Mapepa has been brought off as well before half time.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:09 , Jamie Braidwood

35 mins: Looking ahead, Spain’s match against Japan on Monday is set to decide who finishes top of Group C and who goes through as runner-up.

Winning the group has a big advantage, as it would avoid having to potentially face the defending champions the United States in the quarter-finals.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

09:06 , Jamie Braidwood

31 mins: Bonmati, who has not had as much influence today as she did against Costa Rica, rolls a left-foot shot just wide, before Kundananji is able to come forward with a neat flick. The final ball just isn’t working for Zambia at the moment.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

08:58 , Jamie Braidwood

25 mins: Another chance for Banda! Kundananji rolls Batlle on the left wing and cuts inside before slipping in the Zambia captain. Banda drops her shoulder to beat Andres, but her shot from the angle goes over.

It’s been a good response from Zambia.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

08:55 , Jamie Braidwood

22 mins: Banda is certainly seeing more of the ball in these opening stages than she did against Japan, but it’s yet to click. A lofted ball towards Kundananji runs out of play.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

08:48 , Jamie Braidwood

16 mins: This is already looking like it’s going to be a long night for Zambia. Spain are enjoying this.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 2-0 Zambia

08:45 , Jamie Braidwood

And it’s two! Jenni Hermoso doubles Spain’s lead on her 100th cap! It’s all down to Putellas, though. The Barcelona star carves a stunning cross to the back post that takes the whole Zambia defence out of the game. Hermoso has the simple task of nodding into the empty net.

GOAL! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 1-0 Zambia

08:41 , Jamie Braidwood

WHAT A STRIKE THIS IS! An unbelievable opening goal from Spain, scored by Teresa Abelleira! She lines up the shot from the edge of the box, cutting across the ball superbly and arrowing the strike into the top left corner. Perfect.

Third-choice goalkeeper or not, no one is saving that.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 0-0 Zambia

08:41 , Jamie Braidwood

7 mins: Chance for Banda on the break! Zamba are hanging on for dear life at the back, but they manage to clear and suddenly Banda races forward. She cuts inside Ivana Andrés and Parades, but can’t get a good connnection on the shot. It’s easily saved.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 0-0 Zambia

08:35 , Jamie Braidwood

3 mins: Chance! Zambia fail to clear Carmona’s cross and it breaks for Putellas in the box - she takes a touch to shift it left and then strikes towards the near post, but it is deflected wide.

And another! This should be 1-0. Putellas puts in a dangerous cross that Sakala fails to deal with, only pushing it out into even more danger. It falls to Paralluelo, but she hooks over the bar.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain 0-0 Zambia

08:33 , Jamie Braidwood

KICK-OFF! We are underway in Hamilton - lots of early touches for Aitana Bonmati, who was superb against Costa Rica. It will be interesting to see how Bonmati’s position changes now Putellas is back.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain vs Zambia

08:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Zambia need to get their start striker Barbra Banda more involved against Spain than they managed against Japan. Zambia have a dangerous front-line that could ask Spain some questions on the counter-attack. Banda is joined by Racheal Kundananji, who scored 25 goals in Spain’s top flight last season, but the concern is whether they have what it takes defensively.

Meanwhile, Zambia are also down to their third-choice goalkeeper, after first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali suffered a knee injury before the tournament and her replacement Catherine Musonda was sent off against Japan. The gloves now go to 21-year-old Eunice Sakalam, who made her international debut when she replaced Musonda for the final 21 minutes against Japan.

18-year-old keeper Leticia Lungu was called up after Nali’s injury, if Zambia need a fourth choice.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain vs Zambia

08:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Alexia Putellas is back! After starting Spain’s opener on the bench, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner returns to the starting line-up for the clash against Zambia.

It’s the first time Putellas has started a match for Spain since April 2022. The Barcelona midfielder of course ruptured her ACL on the eve of the Euros last summer.

Spain XI: Rodriguez, Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona, Abelleira, Bonmati, Putellas, Paralluelo, Hermoso, Caldentey

Zambia XI: Sakala, Belemu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo, Susan Banda, Ireen Lungu, Katongo, Kundananji, Barbara Banda, Mapepa

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

08:13 , Jamie Braidwood

This morning’s result also means that after 19 matches at this Women’s World Cup, we’ve still only had one game where both teams have scored - Sweden 2-1 South Africa.

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

08:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Here are the goals again - it’s frustrating for Costa Rica because they are both preventable, first as the defender dives in to allow Naomoto through, and then from the goalkeeper Solera to be beaten at her near post by Fujino. That said, they are still two moments of real quality.

FULL TIME! Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:59 , Jamie Braidwood

And that’s it! Japan make it two wins from two at the Women’s World Cup! They will join Spain in the last-16 if La Roja beat Zambia, or if that other match in Group C finishes as a draw. Goals from Hikary Naomoto and Aoba Fujino in the first half were enough to secure a commanding win. That’s seven goals scored for Japan now, and none against. They are looking sharp.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:57 , Jamie Braidwood

90+4 mins: One last chance for Japan? No! Riko Ueki was through on goal but her touch was too heavy. This has been another impressive display from Japan, however.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:51 , Jamie Braidwood

88 mins: Japan are up to 23 shots for the match, which is some way off the 43 managed in their 3-0 win against Costa Rica in their Group C opener. Costa Rica have once again done themselves proud, however. Japan just had too much quality in the first half.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:39 , Jamie Braidwood

76 mins: The Japan substitutes are doing their best to ensure they continue to attack with a high tempo. Hinata Miyazawa takes a touch to shift the ball out from her feet and fires towards the far corner, but Solera makes the stop.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:29 , Jamie Braidwood

66 mins: Costa Rica goalkeeper, and the hero of their 3-0 defeat to Spain, Daniela Solera is down after colliding with defender Fabiola Villalobos. Moments before, Hina Sugita threatened with a run down the left and cross into the middle, but Costa Rica were able to clear. Hinata Miyazawa then volleys wide after a corner is not cleared.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:20 , Jamie Braidwood

55 mins: Japan’s intensity off the ball has just dropped off a touch since half time but they remain an extremely organised side without the ball, looking to drop into a 5-4-1 that can also spring into life on the counter-attack.

Goalscorer Aoba Fujino, the second teenager to score at this World Cup, is part of a double change as Japan look to rest some legs.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Back underway in Dunedin! Costa Rica were down 3-0 at half time when they played Spain but were able to not concede any further goals in the second half - can they dig in again against Japan? A reminder that wins today for Japan and Spain would leave Costa Rica and Zambia out of the World Cup with a game to spare.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Here are the goals! Japan are looking so confident in possession and dangerous with their attacks - it’s brilliant to watch.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Japan 2-0 Costa Rica

07:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Japan kick things off this morning and the 2011 champions have picked up where they left off against Zambia to lead Costa Rica 2-0 at the half-time break. Goals from Hikary Naomoto and Aoba Fujino have given Japan a commanding lead, and they are now just 45 minutes from the last-16.

Women’s World Cup LIVE

07:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Good morning! The Women’s World Cup continues as the Republic of Ireland fight to keep their hopes alive against Olympic champions Canada in a pivotal Group B clash today.

Defeat would put Ireland on the brink of elimination following their opening loss to co-hosts Australia, while Canada are looking to bounce back from their draw against Nigeria.

Elsewhere today, both Spain and Japan can qualify for the last-16 with a match to spare as they look to build on comfortable opening wins in Group C. Spain face Zambia while Japan take on Costa Rica, and both teams will advance with a victory.

On Tuesday, co-hosts New Zealand were stunned by debutants Philippines, who claimed their first ever victory at the tournament with a 1-0 win in Wellington. The result blew Group A wide open and all four teams are still able to advance after Norway were held to a goalless draw by Switzerland in the day’s late kick-off.