Switzerland 0-0 Norway: Former winners Norway in danger of early exit

Switzerland 0-0 Norway: Former winners Norway in danger of early exit
_130510051_gettyimages-1569069485.jpgThis was the third match to finish goalless at the 2023 Women's World Cup

Former winners Norway are fighting to stay in the Women's World Cup after a draw against Switzerland left them bottom of Group A with one game to go.

After being on the receiving end of a shock defeat by co-hosts New Zealand on the opening day, Hege Riise's side needed to respond but failed to score for the second straight game.

They lost star player Ada Hegerberg, who was named on the team sheet, moments before kick-off, the six-time Champions League winner walking down the tunnel amid reports she suffered a groin injury in the warm-up in Hamilton.

This was after Caroline Graham Hansen, another huge talent, did not make the starting line-up.

Norway had their chances, with captain Maren Mjelde blazing over from close range before a header by Sophie Haug - Hegerberg's replacement - was clawed away by Switzerland keeper Gaelle Thalmann.

Switzerland, 2-0 winners over the Philippines in their first match, had chances of their own on a wet surface.

Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic fired narrowly over after creating space, while Nadine Riesen's awkward cross was just about kept out by keeper Aurora Mikalsen.

Haug forced a fine save from Thalmann in the second half before substitute Graham Hansen had an attempt turned behind, but, on a hugely frustrating night, Norway could not make the breakthrough.

Norway must defeat the Philippines in their final group game in Auckland on Sunday (08:00 BST) to stand any chance of going through.

At the same time Switzerland, who top the group with four points, play New Zealand in Dunedin.

More to follow.

helpHow to play

Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection

Switzerland

Squad number1Player nameThalmann

Squad number19Player nameAigbogun

Squad number5Player nameMaritz

Squad number2Player nameStierli

Squad number8Player nameRiesen

Squad number11Player nameSow

Squad number13Player nameWälti

Squad number6Player nameReuteler

Squad number17Player namePiubel

Squad number10Player nameBachmann

Squad number9Player nameCrnogorcevic

Squad number14Player nameRey

Squad number16Player nameMauron

Squad number22Player nameTerchoun

Norway

Squad number23Player nameMikalsen

Squad number13Player nameBjelde

Squad number6Player nameMjelde

Squad number16Player nameHarviken

Squad number4Player nameHansen

Squad number18Player nameMaanum

Squad number8Player nameBøe Risa

Squad number11Player nameReiten

Squad number15Player nameEikeland

Squad number22Player nameHaug

Squad number20Player nameHaavi

Squad number2Player nameSønstevold

Squad number7Player nameEngen

Squad number9Player nameSævik

Squad number10Player nameGraham Hansen

Squad number19Player nameBratberg Lund

Line-ups

Switzerland

Formation 4-3-2-1

1Thalmann

19Aigbogun5Maritz2Stierli8Riesen

11Sow13Wälti6Reuteler

17Piubel10Bachmann

9Crnogorcevic

1Thalmann19Aigbogun5Maritz2Stierli8Riesen11Sow13Wälti6ReutelerSubstituted forMauronat 78'minutes17PiubelSubstituted forTerchounat 88'minutes10BachmannSubstituted forReyat 90+3'minutes9Crnogorcevic

Substitutes

3Marti4Felber7Arfaoui12Peng14Rey16Mauron18Calligaris20Humm21Friedli22Terchoun23Lehmann

Norway

Formation 4-3-3

23Mikalsen

13Bjelde6Mjelde16Harviken4Hansen

18Maanum8Bøe Risa11Reiten

15Eikeland22Haug20Haavi

23Mikalsen13BjeldeSubstituted forBratberg Lundat 88'minutes6Mjelde16Harviken4HansenSubstituted forSønstevoldat 73'minutes18Maanum8Bøe RisaSubstituted forEngenat 88'minutes11Reiten15EikelandSubstituted forGraham Hansenat 57'minutes22HaugSubstituted forSævikat 73'minutes20Haavi

Substitutes

1Fiskerstrand2Sønstevold3Hørte5Bergsvand7Engen9Sævik10Graham Hansen12Pettersen17Blakstad19Bratberg Lund21JøsendalReferee:Stéphanie Frappart

Live Text

Match ends, Switzerland 0, Norway 0.

Second Half ends, Switzerland 0, Norway 0.

Hand ball by Marion Rey (Switzerland).

Offside, Switzerland. Lia Wälti tries a through ball, but Meriame Terchoun is caught offside.

Substitution, Switzerland. Marion Rey replaces Ramona Bachmann.

Offside, Norway. Marit Bratberg Lund tries a through ball, but Karina Sævik is caught offside.

Attempt missed. Meriame Terchoun (Switzerland) header from very close range misses to the left.

Substitution, Switzerland. Meriame Terchoun replaces Seraina Piubel.

Substitution, Norway. Marit Bratberg Lund replaces Thea Bjelde.

Substitution, Norway. Ingrid Engen replaces Vilde Bøe Risa.

Attempt blocked. Seraina Piubel (Switzerland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ramona Bachmann.

Attempt missed. Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.

Maren Mjelde (Norway) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Lia Wälti (Switzerland).

Attempt blocked. Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is blocked.

Emilie Haavi (Norway) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Eseosa Aigbogun (Switzerland).

Offside, Switzerland. Coumba Sow tries a through ball, but Sandrine Mauron is caught offside.

Substitution, Switzerland. Sandrine Mauron replaces Géraldine Reuteler.

Attempt missed. Vilde Bøe Risa (Norway) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Frida Maanum following a corner.

Source Link