Philippines bows out of Women’s World Cup as Norway advances to KO stage

Norway’s forward #22 Sophie Roman Haug (C) celebrates with her teammates after scoring her team’s first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match between Norway and the Philippines at Eden Park in Auckland on July 30, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand —The Philippines’ debut run in the Fifa Women’s World Cup came to an end on Sunday after Norway’s 6-0 blowout win in their final group stage match.

Sophie Roman Haug’s hat trick kick-started Norway’s dormant offense and sparked the victory that moved the Norwegians into the knockout stage of the tournament.

Norway scored early and often, netting three goals in the first 31 minutes.

Norway’s spot in the round of 16 was secured when Switzerland and New Zealand simultaneously played to a 0-0 draw and the Norwegians. Norway and New Zealand were tied in Group A but Norway advanced on goal differential. New Zealand became the first host country to be eliminated in the group stage in tournament history.

Before the game, Norway had not scored in three consecutive Women’s World Cup matches dating to the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament.

Philippines players talk to Canadian referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin, right, after Philippines’ Sofia Harrison, third left, were shown a red card during the Women’s World Cup Group A match between Norway and Philippines at Eden Park stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

But Roman Haug one-timed a ball into the net in the sixth minute, and scored again 11 minutes later. Caroline Graham Hansen added a long-distance shot in the 31st minute.

Roman Haug completed the hat trick in injury time.

In the second half, an Alicia Barker own goal in the 48th minute and Guro Reiten’s penalty kick in the 53rd minute extended Norway’s lead to 5-0. Filipinas defender Sofia Harrison received a red card in the 67th minute for using excessive force, and the Philippines played the rest of the match a player down.

Eden Park was turned into a makeshift home match for the Philippines, as the Filipina fans screamed in unison any time the Philippines touched the ball, even as the deficit grew.

The Philippines was 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.

KEY MOMENTS

Norway players celebrate after Philippines’ Alicia Barker, bottom right, scored an own goal during the Women’s World Cup Group A match between Norway and Philippines at Eden Park stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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.

Graham Hansen scored on a long-distance strike that curled into the bottom left corner in the 31st minute to give Norway its third goal of the half.

From that point on, Norway was in control.

WHY IT MATTERS

The win advances Norway to the knockout stage after the Norwegians found themselves in last place in Group A heading into the Philippines match.

The Norwegians had yet to score in 2023 before their six-goal eruption.

WHAT’S NEXT

Norway will play either Japan or Spain in the round of 16 next Saturday, depending on the results of a game between those Group C teams on Monday.

The inaugural tournament run ends for the Philippines, who needed at least a draw to have a chance of moving on.

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