AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The Women's World Cup opened with pomp despite the circumstances Thursday, kicking off less than 12 hours after a mass shooting in Auckland's scenic harbor district.
So while there were fireworks and dancing and singing before the game at Eden Park Stadium, about three miles from where a lone gunman killed two and wounded at least 10 others, there was also sadness, mourning and a long moment of silence, one the players and staff on New Zealand's bench observed by leaving their dugout and standing, heads bowed and arms draped over one another's shoulders, under skies that were appropriately dark and heavy.
Eventually, they started the soccer match and that's where things took a turn, with Hannah Wilkinson's goal less than three minutes into the second half giving New Zealand a historic 1-0 win over Norway.
