JONATHAN SHALLARD in AUCKLAND: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has pronounced the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand a resounding success after only six days with record attendances.

Infantino said: “We often say that football unites the world. New Zealand and Australia are uniting the world Down Under. They welcome all of us – every single person – the volunteers, the police officers, all the employees; everyone who is connected somehow with the cup has done a tremendous job.

“It’s welcoming, it’s warm, it’s smiling. I’m a happy man and there are hundreds of thousands of happy men, women, girls, and boys who come to the matches and millions and millions watching it from home. So, a great success.

“Great games, great goals, and some underdogs who create some surprises or give the favourites a tough time. All the ingredients are there already from the start.”

Infantino thus dialled down on his address before the men’s World Cup in Qatar in November when he identified himself with all manner of indivuals.

The opening day, Thursday, July 20, saw more than 117,000 fans pack Eden Park in Auckland and Stadium Australia in Sydney. The 42,137 who attended New Zealand’s opening night defeat of Norway in Auckland was an all-time local high for a football match while the 75,784 fans in Sydney for Australia’s match against the Republic of Ireland was the highest attendance at a Women’s World Cup for 24 years.

After only six days FIFA claimed to have exceeded its target by selling more than 1.5m for the the 64 matches. The total attendance for the first group matchdays was 459,547 with an average of 28,721. This was a 54pc increase compared with the first 16 games of France 2019.

New Zealand not so happy on the pitch. The cohosts lost their second Group A match by 1-0 to finals newcomers Phillipines. Sarina Bolden headed their first World Cup goal after 24 minutes.

Manager Alen Stajic said: “This has to be one of the biggest wins in the history of sport in the country. It was very emotional out on the pitch, seeing just about everyone crying. It’s unbelievable. How can you top beating a host nation at a World Cup? It’s No1.”

Philippines complete their schedule against 1995 champions Norway who are in danger of a group-stage exit after a 0-0 draw against Switzerland. The Norwegians, surprisingly beaten by New Zealand on the opening day, missed both Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen through injury.

In Group H Colombia wrapped up the first matchday action by defeating South Korea 2-0 with first-half goals from Catalina Usme and 18-year-old Linda Caicedo. Korean forward Casey Phair became the youngest-ever player at a Women’s World Cup, aged 16 years 26 days, on appearing as a 77th-minute substitute.

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