Football Ferns vibe after emotional win for New Zealand at Women’s World Cup

By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Soccer Writer

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — With the 1-0 victory over Group A favorites Norway secured, New Zealand is in good position to advance to the knockout stage. That’s a big deal for the tournament co-hosts, who had never won a match at the World Cup before Thursday night. It’s also a big deal for women’s soccer in a nation that is better known for it’s love of rugby. More than 42,000 fans were at the game. It was the biggest crowd ever for a men’s or women’s soccer match in New Zealand.