Tottenham Women star Ria Percival messes up historic moment in Women’s World Cup opener
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has officially got underway with a bang as Tottenham Women’s Ria Percival had a night to remember despite missing a late penalty.
New Zealand had never won a game at the World Cup finals despite appearing in four previous editions of the tournament and playing 15 times – but that all changed in front of their home support on Thursday 20 July.
A crowd of 42,137 packed into Eden Park – a record attendance for a football match in New Zealand – to watch the Football Ferns produce a historic upset and defeat Norway 1-0 in the tournament’s opening game.
Hannah Wilkinson’s goal was enough to separate the two sides after she had swept home Jacqui Hand’s cross in the 48th minute of the match. This sparked elation in the stands and put the nation on course for a monumental win.
And it was no fluke as the co-host nation went toe-to-toe with the 1995 world champions, with both sides having 50 per cent possession and registering two shots on target each (BBC Sport).
It would have ended 2-0 if not for Percival’s late penalty blunder. After holding back tears as the national anthem was played, perhaps the emotion got to the Spurs star who was appearing in her fifth world cup for her country.
After a handball in the box by Tuva Hansen late on, a penalty was awarded following a VAR check and for the first time ever, it was announced to the stadium by the referee.
The midfielder stepped up and had the chance to seal the win but failed to convert, striking the crossbar as the game entered the 89th minute.
Nine minutes of stoppage time separated Percival’s side and the victory but they managed to hold on to send their fans into raptures and, in the end, the 33-year-old’s missed penalty should become a long-lost memory as the joy of the win sinks in.
New Zealand have now given themselves a brilliant platform to go and qualify for the knock-out stages and will next be in action against the Philippines on Tuesday 25 July.
In other Tottenham news, the Under-21s were involved in a stalemate during a pre-season friendly.