And here is your match report:
Switzerland did what they had to do though. They win Group A without setting the tournament alight, to be honest. Two goalless draws and a 2-0 win over the Philippines is enough for Inka Grings’s side. They move through to a last-16 meeting with whoever comes second in Group C. New Zealand will contemplate their disappointment, and the tournament will have to come to terms with losing one of its hosts. Safe to say, all eyes will now be on Australia when they meet Canada on Monday. Be sure to join us again for that one, but before that, there’s more to come today:
A match report will be on its way shortly, and keep an eye out for reaction from New Zealand – our reporter Anna Rankin will be giving her verdict on the emotional rollercoaster that has been the Football Ferns’ involvement in this tournament. But from me for now, thanks for joining me and goodbye.
Phew, that was intense. New Zealand threw everything they had in those closing moments, but in the end they didn’t have the knowhow to find a way through a stubborn Swiss defence. There are Kiwi tears on the pitch. Jacqui Hand is distraught. Her header hit the post in the first half – what if that one had gone in? We’ll never know.
Full-time: Switzerland 0-0 New Zealand
90+9 mins: All over! New Zealand are out! Switzerland progress as group winners!
Updated
90+8 mins: There are bodies everywhere as the ball is pumped into the box, but it doesn’t fall New Zealand’s way! Behind for a goal kick.
90+7 mins: There is still time! Hassett wins another free-kick. Up comes Esson, the keeper, again.
90+6 mins: Is there time for one final attack? Steimetz launches the ball forward, but it goes all the way through to Thalmann, who will take her time before releasing the ball.
90+5 mins: Oooh! My goodness! Esson gets on the end of the free-kick, but she heads wide! What a chance! And that might well be that for New Zealand.
90+5 mins: Bunge hits it long towards the Swiss box. It’s not cleared properly. Then Bott is felled by Terchoun, inches outside the box! Free-kick! Late drama!
90+4 mins: Switzerland run down the clock with another change – Crnogorcevic off, Terchoun on. Precious seconds these.
90+3 mins: Esson is one of a posse of players contesting for the ball as it comes over. But it’s hoofed clear!
90+2 mins: Crnogorcevic puts her hands to her mouth – she can’t believe she’s conceded a corner! Esson is up for it!
90+1 mins: New Zealand break now with Rennie, who plays it back to Riley. Her cross into the middle but it’s dealt with by the Swiss defence. Excitement as the clock ticks down!
90 mins: Here we go then. Eight minutes of added time to be played! There is still time for a late twist in this tale.
89 mins: Lehmann does well on the right hand side before the ball finds its way to Sow. There’s a shooting chance, but she rather scoops the ball goalwards. Easy for Esson.
88 mins: The World Cup hosts have never exited the tournament at the group stage before. New Zealand need to find something special, and soon, if they are not to become the first.
87 mins: The Swiss are sitting back now, allowing New Zealand to enter their half. Jale combines well with Hand, twice, before Hand lets fly. Straight at Thalmann again though and time is running out for a late Football Ferns winner.
Updated
86 mins: Bott tries her luck from distance, but it’s not her best effort and Thalmann is comfortable in claiming.
84 mins: Two more Swiss changes now – Bachmann and Piubel off, Calligaris and Mauron on. Looks like Switzerland are battening down the hatches.
83 mins: It’s getting a bit frantic as we enter squeaky bum time. One New Zealand goal would still change everything. But it’s Switzerland who are on the front foot.
82 mins: Another New Zealand change now – Wilkinson off, Rennie on for New Zealand.
82 mins: Back down to the other end, and it’s Switzerland’s turn to win a corner. Bachmann takes it… cleared away this time.
81 mins: Bunge stoops to get her head to the corner… it’s on target, but lacks the power to test Thalmann in Switzerland’s goal.
80 mins: Maritz concedes a corner and the home crowd goes wild. They sense something is going to happen….
Updated
79 mins: The Mexican wave heads around the stadium again as Waelti re-enters the fray after having briefly gone off with a knock.
77 mins: Ooh, that was a close shave for New Zealand as Piubel breaks free and spots Lehmann in acres of space in the middle! She tries to stab a ball across, but it hits a New Zealand leg and pings away to safety.
76 mins: “Hello Mike.” Hello Kári Tulinius. “I think it’s to New Zealand’s credit that as the match has gone on, they’ve started taking more risks, but so far it’s just led to quick turnovers and dangerous situations at the back. The Swiss defence has had no major problems to deal with. The Football Ferns need inspiration from somewhere.” At the moment, with just 15 minutes remaining, I’m not entirely sure where that’s going to come from.
Updated
75 mins: Bowen, with an outswinger, finds Steinmetz, but her shot, while well-hit, is straight at Thalmann.
74 mins: Great challenge by Riesen to stop Wilkinson in her tracks! But it’ll be a New Zealand corner. What can they do here?
73 mins: The free-kick is delivered into the Swiss box… the defence take their time before clearing.
72 mins: Free-kick to New Zealand as Lehmann runs onto the pitch. But not before the Ferns make another change – Grace Jale on for Percival.
71 mins: Here’s a second Swiss change. On comes Alisha Lehmann to replace Reuteler.
68 mins: Any hopes of the Philippines staging a miraculous comeback have been hit by a red card. Join Sarah for more on that:
68 mins: A reminder: as things stand, Switzerland and Norway are going through. A New Zealand goal, however, would send the hosts through, along with Norway, and the Swiss would be sent packing. Fine margins.
67 mins: A real chance here for Piubel, who races clear but slices a left-footed shot wide of the mark! The flag goes up though, and it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
65 mins: In stark contrast to the first half, New Zealand can’t seem to get it together in the attacking third. Wilkinson has been pretty anonymous – she’s barely touched the ball.
Updated
63 mins: Barrister Mitch has emailed. “We might end up seeing both host nations eliminated at the group stage. Nobody could have thought about that before the opening ceremony. #SadPossibility.” It’s a possibility for sure, and not a nice one. The tournament has been hugely successful so far, and you wonder what will happen if NZ and Australia bow out.
62 mins: Here come some changes for New Zealand – Betsy Hassett comes on for Stott, and Claudia Bunge replaces Longo.
Updated
60 mins: Both teams use the break in play to grab a drink. The Ferns huddle and get some words of wisdom from coach Jitka Klimková.
59 mins: Esson looks cooked here! Play is stopped as the keeper hits the deck and calls for attention. It appears she may have overstretched something when clearing the ball just then.
58 mins: A moment of panic comes ion the New Zealand back line as Esson botches a clearance after she races off her line. NZ clear their lines eventually.
57 mins: Switzerland are a great deal more comfortable since the break and are enjoying both more possession and better territorial advantage (not scientific fact, just a vibe at this point).
56 mins: Esson is big and she claims the corner without too much fuss, to the crowd’s delight. They must be on edge of their seats, with this game on a knife-edge.
55 mins: An error from Steinmetz sees Bachmann break free… and she wins a corner off CJ Bott.
54 mins: It’s gone a bit flat for New Zealand… and here goes Piuban. She jinks this way and that, but can’t find her balance to get a decent shot off on goal. Bowen mops up.
51 mins: Norway have scored again – a fifth. It’s an absolute rout in Auckland. What a time to find form.
50 mins: The Swiss have started brightly this half. Crnogorcevic looks dangerous for a moment, but it passes. Nevertheless, worrying for New Zealand, who haven’t quite captured their tempo of the first half.
Updated
49 mins: It’s effectively all over in Auckland – a fourth goal for Norway.
48 mins: Bachmann! A chance here! But she dithers slightly, and can’t get a shot off.
47 mins: No, I was mistaken. One change to tell you about – India Paige Riley has come on for the Football Ferns, in place of Olivia Chance.
Second half under way
46 mins: Here we go then, after a bout of Unity Beat. New Zealand have 45 minutes to find the goal that will send them into the knockout phase. No changes to tell you about at the break.
Let’s have some quick first-half stats before the second starts. They paint a picture.
Passes completed: Switzerland 198-209 New Zealand
Crosses: Switzerland 5-8 New Zealand
Aerial duels won: Switzerland 8-7 New Zealand
Ground duels won: Switzerland 25-39 New Zealand
Enjoying the Guardian’s coverage of the Women’s World Cup? This live blog is only possible thanks to funding from our fans all around the world. We don’t have a paywall, so everything we publish is open and free for everyone. Unlike so many others, the Guardian is fiercely independent – meaning we don’t have a billionaire owner who can censor us.
Fund quality sports journalism from the Guardian today from as little as £1. It takes less than a minute but makes a huge difference.
Half-time: Switzerland 0-0 New Zealand
45+5 mins: And that will be that. The whistle toots and the players head into the dressing rooms for a cup of tea and a slice of orange. New Zealand can be pleased with the way they have played so far, and consider themselves unfortunate not to be ahead after Hand’s effort struck a post, but as things stand, given the score in the other game in Auckland, the co-hosts are heading out, with Switzerland and Norway going through.
Updated
45+4 mins: One last attack for New Zealand doesn’t materialise as the ball is far too long for Wilkinson.
45+2 mins: Peter Oh has emailed in. “If the Switzerland attack does come to life and yield a dangerous defence-splitting pass, will you be tempted to describe it as a hot Swiss Army knife through creamy New Zealand butter?” Are you looking for a job, Peter?
45 mins: There’ll be five minutes of added time to be played at the end of the first half. Crnogorcevic is unhappy with a challenge from Wilkinson here.
44 mins: Bachmann makes things happen on the Swiss left… Piubel ultimately lets fly, it take a slight deflection off Stott, but it’s comfortable for Esson.
43 mins: It looked like Hand’s race might have been run, but the Fern is back on, albeit with a heavily strapped ankle.
41 mins: Piubel breaks now for Switzerland… danger here. But that’s a great recovering tackle from Bott to snuff out the attack.
39 mins: There’s a brief break in play now as Hand receives some medical attention. Meanwhile, a Mexican wave goes round the stadium. That is a decent effort from the New Zealand fans. I was at the Sydney Football Stadium for England v Denmark the other night and despite the best efforts of a handful of fans, the wave never really got going.
Updated
37 mins: I’m telling you, the roof will lift of this stadium if New Zealand score. The crowd has been excellent so far.
35 mins: Here come Switzerland with Aigbogun getting forward down the right hand side. She centres for Sow, who is in a dangerous position, but there’s nothing doing this time. Better from the Swiss though, who have thus far largely struggled to create anything up front.
34 mins: So, Norway look a decent bet for victory already, three goals to the good now.
32 mins: More developments in Auckland…
31 mins: When the Swiss do venture forward, they’re met with a Kiwi wall, this time in the shape of Katie Bowen, whose challenge on Sow is hard but fair.
29 mins: As far as tactical timeouts go, that was a good one from Switzerland. Or at least a well-timed injury. Play is back up and running but the Ferns are no longer camped in the Swiss half.
Updated
27 mins: The ball goes out of play and Thalmann goes down. I’m not suggesting for a moment that she doesn’t require treatment, but it’s a good chance for her and her Swiss teammates to take a breather. And possibly to calm the wind that is currently blowing in New Zealand sails.
Updated
26 mins: Percival, perhaps sensing Thalmann’s uncertainty, delivers right into the mixer. Her attempted punch clear is, again, unconvincing as she goes for the same ball with a teammate… the ball falls to Bowen but her shot is blocked!
25 mins: New Zealand are flying here. Another corner is won… Chance swings it over and another scramble ensues with Thalmann looking far from confident! They survive this time, but the Ferns have momentum, the crowd is right behind them and, now, another free-kick.
24 mins: Off the post by Jacqui Hand! New Zealand so close to opening the scoring! It was a long ball forward that simply evaded everyone else. Hand ran onto it and looped a shot over Thalmann, only to be denied by the far upright!
23 mins: Here we go again as Thalmann receives the ball at her feet, dawdles a bit and then thumps the ball out of play. The crowd love that one.
21 mins: Crnogorcevic tumbles under the challenge of Stott… that challenge had a whiff of a booking about it, but the American ref decides to let it slide.
20 mins: That goal – another for Haug – could be hugely significant here. Norway have leapfrogged New Zealand into second thanks to their superior goal difference now.
19 mins: Disappointing from Percival though – straight into the wall. Longo can’t make anything of the recycled ball. Meanwhile, another goal in Auckland…
18 mins: The hosts are giving a very good account of themselves to this point. What a ball this is from Bowen to Bott… her cross causes consternation for a moment before Bachmann fouls Hand and NZ have a free-kick in a decent central position.
16 mins: The crowd are playing their part here – keeper Thalmann is having the entire end behind her giving it the big “wooooo” whenever she lines up a clearance.
Updated
14 mins: This is good approach play from New Zealand… Bowen’s heavily involved before the ball reaches Longo, who attempts a volley! The connection is not quite as sweet as she would have wanted and the ball goes wide though.
Updated
11 mins: Left-footed it comes in, the keeper is the deck, but the Football Ferns can’t capitalise on a brief scramble and the ball is eventually hacked clear.
10 mins: A huge roar emanates from the crowd as New Zealand win their first corner of the game! Chance will swing it over….
9 mins: Sophie Haug’s goal for Norway doesn’t change anything in the live table – still New Zealand and Switzerland going through as things stand.
8 mins: Both teams just seem to be figuring each other night at the moment. Meanwhile, over in Auckland, there’s been a goal…
7 mins: Hannah Wilkinson is leading the Ferns’ line once again tonight. Wilkinson, of course, scored New Zealand’s first World Cup goal against Norway on opening night.
Updated
6 mins: Ah, good, they’re doing an ‘as it stands’ graphic on the telly. That will make my life a bit easier. These two teams are going through if it all stays as is, FYI.
5 mins: Bowen rises like a salmon to thump a header clear from the corner, and the immediate danger passes. The crowd like that one – a big cheer goes up as the ball thwacks the defender’s forehead.
4 mins: Percival plays a loose pass now and Switzerland have the first corner of the game. Stierli to take it… it’s a decent one, swinging inwards close to the goalline, and put behind for another corner, from the other side this time.
3 mins: The Swiss start on the front foot, enjoying some early possession. They gradually get pushed all the way back to keeper Thalmann, but keep the ball. A long ball forward finds Bachmann… she cuts inside and lets fly from range! Blocked this time, but an early sign of what the Barcelona woman can do.
2 mins: New Zealand in white shirts and… green shorts. Switzerland in their traditional all red.
First half under way
1 min: Here we go then! We’re off! A brief word about the officiating team tonight – Tori Penso of the USA is referee, assisted by countrywoman Brooke Mayo and Mijensa Rensch of Surinam.
Anthems are done and dusted! Kick-off is imminent. Strap yourselves in.
All eyes are on the 11 Kiwi women currently out on the pitch warming up in front of a big crowd in Dunedin, but it’s been a long road to get to the point of widespread recognition. This, from Jeff Kassouf, is worth reading:
This is a lovely piece from my (Kiwi) colleague Julia Hollingsworth, on what seems to be quite a not uncommon sentiment these recent days. Who’d have thought, but it turns out us football-loving folk have been onto something all these years!
My player to watch tonight? Ramona Bachmann. The Barcelona forward has looked good so far, and will be expected to pose problems for the Ferns’ back line in Dunedin.
Updated
Back to Dunedin, where we might expect a decent atmosphere – the stakes are high, and the design of the stadium means it can get loud. They call it “the Glasshouse”, apparently, given its see-through roof, but to me it’s more of a giant indoor sports hall.
It’s just finished in Adelaide and Morocco have rebounded from a inauspicious start to their campaign with a famous win over South Korea in Group H!
Switzerland lineup
And here’s how the Swiss will line up – they are unchanged.
1 Gaelle Thalmann
19 Eseosa Aigbogun
5 Noelle Maritz
2 Julia Stierli
8 Nadine Riesen
13 Lia Waelti
11 Coumba Sow
6 Geraldine Reuteler
17 Seraina Piubel
9 Ana Crnogorcevic
10 Ramona Bachmann
New Zealand lineup
The Football Ferns have made a couple of changes – Longo and Chance come into the starting XI as Indiah-Paige Riley and Betsy Hassett drop to the bench.
Get ready to make some noise Ōtepoti Dunedin 🔊
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 30, 2023
Here is how we start against Switzerland 🇳🇿🇨🇭#NZL #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/KA5GDfHM98
Group A permutations
Switzerland have manoeuvred into a strong position and are arguably favourites to go through now – they are yet to concede, and held Norway to goalless draw after beating the Philippines 2-0.
Co-hosts New Zealand won their first World Cup match last week, memorably against Norway, before a shock defeat to the Philippines tempered expectations a bit.
I’ll be forever grateful to my colleague Sarah Rendell for putting this together, so my head didn’t have to hurt. Here’s what will happen if:
Switzerland win - through
Switzerland draw - through
Switzerland lose - they would need the other game to draw or for Norway to win by less than three goals.
NZ win - through
NZ draw - they would need the other game to draw or for Norway to win by a goal (they would then be tied on points and goal difference so it would come down to amount of goals scored, then head-to-head)
NZ lose - out
Norway win - would need Switzerland to win or the other game to draw and win by more than a goal
Norway draw - out
Norway lose – out
Philippines win - through
Philippines draw - need Switzerland to win
Philippines lose - out
Preamble
Hello again and welcome again. Has it already been 11 days since the World Cup began? Time is flying and today marks the beginning of the end of the group stage, with Group A to be decided with simultaneous kick-offs in Dunedin and Auckland.
At Eden Park, Norway take on the Philippines (you can follow the build-up to that game with our other live blog over here, helmed by my colleague Sarah Rendell), but it is the game at the giant greenhouse they call Forsyth Barr Stadium between the co-hosts New Zealand and Switzerland that will be the focus of this blog for the next couple of hours or so.
We could be set for a wild ride, with everything still to play for, and all four teams still capable of going through to the last 16 with just 90 minutes to play. More on the full permutations in a second, but suffice to say that New Zealand, who have never qualified for the last 16 at the World Cup before, can do so with victory. Equally, Switzerland, who last got out of the group stage in 2015, will go through with victory. As for a draw… well, it gets a little more complicated for the Football Ferns then.
Kick-off is an hour away. Stick with us for those permutations, team news and the match. In the meantime, please feel free to get in touch with an email or tweet @mike_hytner if you have burning issues to get off your chest.
Updated
