Four Gunners were in action on match day one of the Women’s World Cup with very contrasting fortunes. In the opening match in Auckland, Frida Maanum and Norway took on co-hosts New Zealand but the match didn’t go to script for Frida or her teammates.
Maanum was substituted on 73 minutes as Norway fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat and the hosts first ever win at a Women’s World Cup. Maanum missed a presentable chance to equalise in the second half.
— miedemastuff (@miedemastuff) July 20, 2023
The second match was very much an Arsenal affair when Australia took on Ireland in Sydney, both teams were captained by Arsenal left-backs. Steph Catley took the armband for the Matildas in the absence of injured Sam Kerr, with Caitlin Foord starting upfront. While Katie McCabe captained Ireland in their first ever Women’s World Cup match.
WE TAKE THE LEAD AT STADIUM AUSTRALIA 🔥@stephcatley cool as you like from the penalty spot 🥶#AUS 1 – 0 #IRL | #FIFAWWC #Matildas pic.twitter.com/j4TXPiQSg8
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023
Catley coolly slotted home a second half penalty to give the Matildas the lead and that was enough to give them a 1-0 win over Ireland in a tense match. Foord, Catley and McCabe all played the full 90 minutes.
McCabe was unbelievable tonight. Wished she played for the Matildas. Stoked we’ve got Catley and Foord though.
Wishing all the Arsenal girls a glorious tournament.
Blessings 🙏🏾
First ever world cup in for either the men or women! Go the White Ferns!
Feisty as anything, that Aus v RoI match! Excellent penalty from Steph Catley.
Norway are in trouble. I feel sorry for Frida – she doesn’t look happy. Maybe they’ll have a better time next game but Switzerland are very solid, if memory serves. And they have Lia Walti. It was all so much easier when all the Arsenal players were in the England side… I don’t know who to root for!
What did anyone expect, when the penalty taker has a left foot like Messi?