Women's World Cup 2023 kicks off

Australia and Republic of Ireland in cagey 0-0 start 

  A quiet enough start inside Stadium Australia with both sides yet to settle into the game. The cohost was expected to win this easily, but Ireland is in no mood to just lie down. Ireland's Katie McCabe and Australia's Hayley Raso exchanged some tasty challenges which have caught the eye of the referee in the opening 20 minutes. Neither side has yet to create a real chance.

New Zealand midfielder Malia Steinmetz hails "unreal" World Cup win over Norway

New Zealand got its World Cup campaign off to a dream start on Thursday, earning a shock win over a heavily fancied Norway side. It was a historic result for the Ferns, who secured a first World Cup win for the country, men's or women's. "It's hard to describe, I think just the fact that we finally got that first ever win which has been so long overdue," midfielder Malia Steinmetz told CNN's Tara Subramaniam. "That was just for all the girls that have made this team the way that the team is  in the past or future.

New Zealand captain Ali Riley pays respects to victims of Auckland shooting

New Zealand’s captain Ali Riley struggled to sum up her emotions when speaking to reporters after her nation’s first ever victory at the Women’s World Cup. The 35-year-old was in tears as she paid tribute to the victims of the shooting which occurred in Auckland, New Zealand, just hours before kickoff.

Australia's opening game against Republic of Ireland has kicked off

We have kickoff inside Stadium Australia in Sydney. Australia in its famous green and gold colours gets the game underway against its opponents in all green. CNN is witness to a lot of fans inside the stadium making plenty of noise, with both anthems sung passionately. A minute's silence was also respected to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting in Auckland earlier on Thursday.

Australia superstar Sam Kerr to miss first two World Cup matches with injury

Australia striker Sam Kerr, who is the face of this Women's World Cup, will miss the opening two matches of the tournament after sustaining a calf injury in training. One of the world's best players, Kerr's absence is a huge blow to the Matildas who face the Republic of Ireland in their opening game of the World Cup on Thursday. “Unfortunately, I sustained a calf injury yesterday in training,” Kerr wrote on Instagram. “I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve.