New Zealand becomes first host nation to ever be knocked out of Women's World Cup group stage after as Switzerland Draw
Tournament co-hosts New Zealand were knocked out of the Fifa Women's World Cup as Switzerland got the draw they needed to advance as Group A winners.
New Zealand began the day in second position in the group, but Norway moved above them thanks to a convincing 6-0 victory over the Philippines.
Jacqueline Hand hit the post for New Zealand but they could not get the win they needed to stay in the competition.
They become the first host nation to fail to make it past the group phase.
It was a tame and disappointing end to the tournament for New Zealand, who had beaten Norway 1-0 in the World Cup's opening match.
A shock 1-0 loss against the Philippines on Tuesday in Willington, the lowest ranked nation in Group A, left New Zealand's qualification in the balance, although their fate was still in their hands before their final match in Dunedin.
But, in a game they needed to win, they failed to have a single shot on target in the opening 70 minutes against Switzerland.
With the Europeans themselves only one goal away from elimination, it became tight and tense with neither side able to create many clear-cut opportunities.
This was the country's sixth appearance at a Women's World Cup, but they had not won any of their previous 15 matches before Hannah Wilkinson scored the only goal in their 2023 opener as they beat Norway in front of a crowd of 42,137.
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bbc sport
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