Norway dominating New Zealand in early stages of World Cup opener

Norway's Aurora Mikalsen in action during the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on July 20. 

Norway has so far dominated the first 20 minutes of the opening match of the 2023 Women's World Cup, as co-hosts New Zealand, which is appearing in its sixth World Cup, struggle to maintain possession. Previous 

World Cup winners Norway, which lifted the trophy in 1995, entered the match as clear favorites and are expected to make a deep run in the tournament. New Zealand on the other hand, enter with the unenviable record of having never won a match in World Cup competition. 

Norway boasts one of the game's best forward lines, including Ada Hegerberg  the first ever winner, in 2018, of the women’s Ballon d’Or. Hegerberg has so far been heavily involved in the opening 20 minutes, continually threatening the New Zealand defense.