Ada Hegerberg was not needed as Norway kicked off their women’s World Cup Group A campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Super Falcons of Nigeria on Saturday in Reims, France.
Without Ballon d’Or winner Hegerberg, who quit international football in 2017 due to a dispute with her home federation, the 1995 champions relied on goals by Guro Reiten, Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland and an own goal by Osinachi Ohale to prevail.
The result put Norway in second place in Group A behind hosts France, who thrashed South Korea 4-0 on Friday in Paris in the opening game of the month-long tournament.
Reiten put Norway in front after 17 minutes when she volleyed home from a corner.
Utland doubled the tally with a powerful shot from close range after being set up by Reiten in the 34th.
Three minutes later, three-time African champions Nigeria were completely overwhelmed as Ohale deflected Isabell Herlovsen’s cross into her own goal.
Norway next face France in Nice on Wednesday, while Nigeria takes on South Korea in Grenoble the same day.
Germany Women got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start thanks to a 1-0 victory over China on Saturday in Rennes.
China were frustrating one of the World Cup favourites in their opening group game but the Germans managed to break the deadlock midway through the second half.
China failed to clear a set-piece and the ball fell to Giulia Gwinn on the edge of the box, who took a touch before smashing home the winner into the top corner. –Reuters
