Norway progresses to the Women’s World Cup after defeating the Philippines 6-0.
Sophie Roman Haug’s hat trick awoke Norway’s dormant offence and launched a 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines on Sunday, advancing Norway to the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
Norway scored three goals in the first 31 minutes, effectively ending the Philippines’ inaugural run in the competition. Norway progresses to the Women’s World Cup after defeating the Philippines 6-0.
Norway’s place in the round of 16 was assured after Switzerland and New Zealand drew 0-0 and the Norwegians. In Group A, Norway and New Zealand were level, but Norway advanced due to goal differential. New Zealand became the tournament’s first host country to be eliminated in the group stage.
Norway had not scored in three consecutive Women’s World Cup matches dating back to the tournament’s quarterfinals in 2019.
However, in the sixth minute, Roman Haug one-timed a pass into the net and scored again 11 minutes later. Caroline Graham Hansen finished with a long-range strike in the 31st minute.
In injury time, Roman Haug accomplished his hat trick.
In the second half, an Alicia Barker own goal in the 48th minute and a penalty kick by Guro Reiten in the 53rd minute increased Norway’s advantage to 5-0. Filipina defender Sofia Harrison was sent off in the 67th minute for using excessive force, and the Philippines played the rest of the game with one less player.
Eden Park was transformed into a makeshift home game for the Philippines, with Filipina fans yelling in unison whenever the Philippines touched the ball, even as the gap mounted.
The Philippines were fresh off of a historic 1-0 win over co-host New Zealand that marked the first Women’s World Cup win for the debutantes.
Roman Haug got the Norwegians off to a hot start. The first of her two goals was a left-footed volley from inside the six-yard box in the sixth minute. Eleven minutes later, Roman Haug scored a header delivered by a Vilde Boe Risa cross. Roman Haug’s header flew over the reach of Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
In the 31st minute, Graham Hansen scored on a long-range effort that curled into the bottom left corner, giving Norway its third goal of the half.
Norway was in charge from then on.
Norway advanced to the knockout stage after being bottom in Group A heading into the match against the Philippines.
Before their six-goal outburst in 2023, the Norwegians had yet to score.
“They demonstrated their talent to some of their classmates today.” They took us apart and won a number of aerial skirmishes in the box early on. “We really relieved the pressure early on and allowed them to be a little more creative as the game progressed,” Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic explained.
“We’ve talked a lot about having the first goal because it will give us energy.” We know that our assault is strong and that we have superb combination play on both the right and left sides. Today was the day that, after the first one, we realized there could be more,” stated Norway head coach Hege Riise.
Norway will face either Japan or Spain in the round of 16 next Saturday, depending on the outcome of their Group C match on Monday.
The Philippines’ debut tournament run comes to an end, as they needed at least a draw to advance.
