Norway equaed the record for the biggest win of the FIFA Women' World Cup 2023 so far after thrashing debutant Philippines by 6-0 in Auckland. Sophie Roman Haug scored a scintilating hat-trick for them to take her team to the round of 16. Norway qualifies for the next round as the runner-up from Group-A while Philippines and New Zealand bow out from the world cup. Read about all the best moments from the match Norway vs Philippines match in our LIVE blog below the match report.

First half | Norway vs Philippines

Norway answered all thei questions in a must-win encounter for them. Hege Riise's team looked to score goal from the whistle as Sophie Roman Haug scored in the sixth minute of the match from a perfect volley past Olivia McDaniel. With relentless attacks from the one-time World Cup winners, it was about time that Philippines will conceede more than one in this match.

The second goal came in the 16th minute as Sophie Roan Haug scored a beaufiul header from a tight angle for her second goal. In 31st minute, Caroline Garham Hansen scored her 45th international goal from 30 yards outside the box as everyone gazed at the ball ging into the nets. The first half eneded as Philippines founf it hard to hold onto positions except for first five minutes of the game.

Read Also: Switzerland vs New Zealand FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 LIVE Blog, scores, updates and everything

Second half | Norway vs Philippines

In the second half, Philippines would have hoped for a good start and restore their honour after their historical night against New Zealand. However, everything seem to be going wrong for them as the second half started. First an unfortunate own goal from Alicia Barker and then a top-notch penalty from Guro Reiten made it 5-0 before they could have recovered from devastating forst-half.

Although Norway had secured their position as the runners up from Group A as New Zealand was drwaing against Switzerland in another match, they did not put their foot away from acclerator. Even with some changes, Norway kept on attacking for right and left. Philippines manwhile had some glimpses of hope with Sarin Bolden and Katrina Guillou trying their best to break into the final third.

11 minutes were added as stoppage time and Sophie Roman Haug she scores the second hat trick of this world cup. A brillant cross from Guro Reiten and Sophie jimped in the air to head it for hat-trick, the fourth for Norway in Women's World Cup history.

Norway now will face either Japan or Spain in the round of 16 game.

Norway vs Philippines | LIVE Blog

Lineups

Norway: Aurora Mikalsen, Tuva Hansen, Maren Mjelde (C), Vilde Boe Risa, Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten, Thea Bjelde, Mathilde Harviken, Frida Maanum, Emilie Haavi, Sophie Haug Roman

Philippines: Olivia McDaniel, Jessika Cowart, Jaclyn Sawicki, Hali Long (C), Sarin Bolden, Sara Eggesvik, Isabella Flanigan, Angela Beard, Alicia Barker, Quinley Quezada, Katrina Guillou

Big news for Norway as Ada Hedgerberg is sidelined due to an injury and Caroline Graham Hansen comes back into the lineup.

LIVE Score: Norway vs Philippines | NOR 6-0 PHI

1' | Early free-kick for the Philippines | Norway vs Philippines

An early attack from the Philippines. Caroline Graham Hansen catches Katrina Guillou just outside the box and it is a free kick for the Philippines.

3' | Graham Hensen already making a few moves

Caroline Graham Hansen going for the kill from the right. An early cross from her goes straight into the goalie's hands. Then. another shot from her goes over the bar.

6' | Norway scores | Norway 1-0 Philippines

The first goal for Norway in this world cup. It is Sophie Roman Haug who volleys it past Olivia McDaniel from the left of the box to their first goal of the match. A good cross from Guro Reiten.

8' | Good few minutes for Norway

Attack after attack from Norway as they keep on breaking into the Philippines' final third. Sophie Roman Haug, Guro Reiten and Frida Maanum making all sorts of moves in the box.

16' | 2-0 to Norway

It is Sophie Roman Haug again. This time with a header that goes over Olivia McDaniel. With New Zealand drawing in another game, Norway now can qualify from Group A.

28' | Nearly a hat-trick for Sophie

A brilliant run and skill from Carolie Graham to put a cross to Sophie who was waiting at the middle of the box. Unfortunately for Sophie, she just puts the ball wide of the goal this time.

31' | 3-0 for Norway | Caroline Garham scores

Probably the goal of the match. A strike from outside of the box to the left of Olivia McDaniel. Her 45th international goal. She was left out against the Swiss and now answering every doubt in the must-win match against the Philippines.

37' | Nearly an own goal for the Philippines

Hali Long nearly puts one in the goal against her own team while trying to clear one cross from Frida Maanum. Luckily for her, Olivia McDaniel catches it easily.

Half-time: Norway 3-0 Philippines

Norway looked like a different team altogether. The Philippines found it hard to even get a hold of the ball except for the first five minutes of the game. Sophie Roman Haug along with Emilie Haavi and Caroline Graham Hansen made life difficult for them. Great goals by Sophie and Caroline to put Norway in a position to qualify for the next round.

46' | Second half starts

Norway would surely love to score more and secure their place as the group runers-up. Philippines meanwhile will have their work cut out to stop the Norwegian attack.

48' | Own goal for Philippines | Norway 4-0 Philppines

Alicia Barker scores the unfortunate own goal for the Philippines. A brilliant cross from Frida Maanum for Guro Reiten was deflected by Barker right into the goal.

50' | VAR Check for a penalty

A VAR check for possible penalty for Norway going on. Guro Reiten was in action again.

52' | 5-0 for Norway

Guro Reiten scores from the spot to make it 5-0 for them. It is two goals already within the first seven minutes of the second half.

54' | Guro Reiten nearly made it 6-0!

Guro had a chance to score her second from the middle of the box. Surely an opportunity she hated to miss.

63' | Philippines trying to make some moves

The Philippines trying to break into the final third. Bolden from the left is trying her best to create sm space. However, no result for them till now.

65' | VAR for a possible Red card

VAR check for a possible red card against substitute Sofia Harrison.

66' | Red card for Harrison

A red car for substitute Sofia Harrison for a foul against Thea Bjelde.

72' | Good block by Hali Long

Hali Long blocks a shot from Ingrid Syrstad Engen. A great opprutnity from the substittue. But she was not able to net the ball.

78' | Norway looking for their sixth

They are surely looking for the biggest win of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. But, Philippines captain Hali Long have been good petroling the defense.

83' | World Class save from Olivia McDaniel

Oustandig save from the Philippines No.1. The curving shot from Guro Reiten was surely heading into the goal. But McDaniel jukmps in the air to punch the ball over the bar.

89' | Another save from Olivia McDaniel

Anna Josendal makes a great run to break into the final third. However, her shot is safely handeled by Olivia McDaniel.

90' | 11 added minutes

11 minutes added as stoppage time.

90+5' | Haug scores her hat-trick | Norway 6-0 Philippines

A good cross from Guro Reiten again. Roman Haug attacks the ball and heads it for her hat-trick. This is the second hat-trick of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

90+10' | Haug hits the bar

So close to her fourth of the match. Sophie Roman Haug reachs out for the ball and gets a touch on the ball. Unfortunately for her, it hits the bar!

Full time: Norway 6-0 Philippines

Questions have been answered. A masterclass of a performance from Hege Riise's team. Sophie Roman Huag finishes with a hat-trick while Guro Reiten and Caroline Graham Hansen scored the other goals for them. Philippines finish their world cup joourney. Norway moves onto the next stage. They will face either Spain or Japan in round of 16.

The UEFA European Women's Championship, also called the UEFA Women's Euro, is the primary association football competition between the senior women’s national teams from Europe, held every four years. 

England beat Spain on penalties to clinch the Women’s EURO 2025 title at St. Jakob Park in Basel, Switzerland. This is England’s second European title, following its win over Germany in the previous edition. Let's have a look at the UEFA Women's EURO past winners and most successful teams.

Also Read: Who is Tobin Heath? Two-time World Cup champion retires from football

UEFA Women's EURO | First Edition Winner

The first edition of the tournament was played in 1984 in a very different format, with no host nation and just four teams participating. England and Sweden met in the final, played over two legs on a home and away basis.

It ended 1-1 on aggregate, leading to a penalty shootout at Kenilworth Road in London. In true English fashion, the home side would miss twice, allowing Sweden to win 4-3 on penalties and win the first ever women's Euros.

2025 Women's Euros Winner

England successfully defended its Women’s European Championship title by beating world champion Spain in a shootout in the final in Basel, Switzerland.

It was back-to-back European trophies for England and yet another final that Kelly had a huge impact on, after also coming on as a substitute during the Euro 2022 trophy match and scoring the winner against Germany in extra time to clinch a 2-1 victory.

UEFA Women's EURO | Past Winners

Also Read: How can Indian Women's Football team qualify for the 2027 FIFA World Cup?

UEFA Women's EURO | Most Successful Teams

Germany are the most successful team in women's Euros history, having won eight tournaments, including six in a row between 1995-2013. Overall, five different countries have won the women's Euros, but Germany and Norway remain the only winners of more than one edition of the tournament.

• Germany: 8 (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)
• Norway: 2 (1987, 1993)
• Sweden: 1 (1984)
• Netherlands: 1 (2017)
• England: 1 (2022)

The race to be top scorer at the Women's EURO 2025 in Switzerland is a fascinating one. The tournament has started from 2 July and will continue till 27 July.

Four weeks of women’s continental football culminate this weekend in Switzerland, where the reigning European champions and world champions respectively face off at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park.

Also Read: UEFA Women's EURO Past Winners and most successful teams

Women's EURO 2025 Final

England and Spain will face off each other in the Women’s EURO 2025 final on 27 July with Spain coming out on top to win the tournament in 2024.

The two nations met in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final just under two years ago, both contesting their maiden final in Australia. Olga Carmona’s first half strike settled the score to crown the Spaniards world champions in Sydney, on the same grounds that hosted the Olympic Games Sydney 2000.

Spain have shown that they can beat England when it matters on the big stage, while the Lionesses will be desperate to exact revenge. Wiegman’s side have won their last two EUROs encounters against their opponents, including in the quarter-finals en route to their 2022 title.

Also Read: Greatest football XI of all-time: Lamine Yamal keeps Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar in his team

Women's EURO 2025 Top Scorer List

Spain forward Esther González tops the list of UEFA Women's EURO 2025 top goalscorer with 4 goals to her name. Esther registered twice in the world champions' opening 5-0 win against Portugal then struck again in their handsome 6-2 success over Belgium as well as in the ensuing 3-1 victory against Italy on Matchday 3.

The tournament player awards will be handed out at the end of the tournament, among them the golden boot for the top goalscorer of EURO 2025.

González has been on fire with four goals in five appearances, while Putellas trails on three goals but with four assists, more than any player at the tournament. If players are tied, the golden boot is awarded to the player with more assists.

Also Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has scored the most non-penalty goals?

UEFA Women's Champions League winners Arsenal are set to break all the past transfer fee records for 20-year-old Canadian forward from Liverpool, Olivia Smith. Smith is now on the verge of becoming the world's first women's player to break the £1m transfer fee record. 

If the deal gets completed, Olivia Smith will break the record for the most expensive transfer fee in women's football history, beating the record of Naomi Girma, who was bought by Chelsea FC Women for £900,000.

Who is Olivia Smith?

Olivia Smith is a 20-year-old centre forward from Canada, born on August 5, 2004. Olivia started her football career in Ontario, Canada, playing youth soccer before joining college football in the United States at Penn State University.

Club career so far

To pursue her career in football, Smith left college early and joined Sporting CP in Portugal in 2023, where she played the first professional season of her career. After a sensational season with Sporting, where she netted 13 goals and produced nine assists in 18 league games.

Smith went on to win the Best Young Player and Revelation Player as Sporting finished second in the league, behind Benfica. 

Her extraordinary skill as a teenager caught the eyes of Liverpool, and she was signed by the Reds in July 2024. In her first season in the Women's Super League, Smith scored 7 goals in 20 appearances. In the whole season for the Reds, she scored 9 times and provided an assist in 25 games. 

Smith was even nominated for the WSL Player of the Year 2025 award. She was named the LFC Women's Player of the Season 2024/25.

Read Also | Who is Tobin Heath? Two-time World Cup champion retires from football

International career

Smith debuted for Canada at just 15 years and 94 days old, becoming her country's youngest player ever in 2019. She also played in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. 

Till now, she has appeared 18 times for Canada, scoring 3 goals. 

Why are Arsenal willing to pay the most expensive transfer fee for Olivia Smith?

Well, the truth is that Olivia Smith might find it hard to find a place in the playing XI for Arsenal FC Women. The UEFA Women's Champions League winners have Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly in the team, and this will make it very hard for Olivia to start in every game.

So, why are they willing to pay such a high amount for her?

Just like all the men's football teams in the world are thinking, the women's teams are also thinking the same. With Olivia Smith, Arsenal are thinking long-term goals, and that is why they are willing to pay big bucks for the Canadian. 

"I don't necessarily know how easily she walks into that Arsenal team, obviously they won the Champions League last season, which makes them extremely lucrative, but they've got a great attacking threat already," Rachel Corsie, former Scotland captain, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It will be a challenge for her, but probably an addition for Arsenal that they'll expect is maybe one of those signings who could be at the club for a number of years," she added.

Read Also | Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now

Most expensive transfers in women's football history

A two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner and a triple Olympic medalist, Tobin Heath, announced her retirement from professional football after battling through a knee injury since 2022. A knee injury that took place in 2022 forced her to end her career.

Read Also | Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now

Heath's international career

The US Women's National Team legend played 131 games for her country and went on to win two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Along with that, she also won the Gold medal in 2008 and 2012. For the USA, she scored 36 goals and assisted 42 times in her career. 

Tobin Heath's stunning goal in the 2015 FIFA World Cup final against Japan secured the USA a 5-0 win and their return to the top of the world after 1999. 

With Tobin Heath announcing her retirement from soccer, we take you back to her goal in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final vs Japan 👏🇺🇸@USWNT pic.twitter.com/5tOl72pZ2A

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2025

With the USWNT, she also finished as a FIFA World Cup runner-up in 2011, along with her final medal for USWNT, which was a Bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2022. She was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2016.

Read Also | How can Indian Women's Football team qualify for the 2027 FIFA World Cup?

Club career

The 37-year-old midfielder was known for her dribbling skills and visionary passes while playing for the country and the club. In her club career, she played for 9 clubs, including clubs like PSG, Manchester United and Arsenal. 

However, she was most successful with Portland Thorns, where in two spells she played 79 games, scored 15 goals and assisted 24 times while winning two NSWL Championships - one in 2015 and another in 2017.

Besides that, she was runner-up in Division 1 Féminine with PSG in 2013 and 2014, Women's Super League with Arsenal in 2022 and NSWL with Portland Thorns in 2018. 

Read Also | 10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

The knee injury, which ended her career

Tobin Heath's football career was cut short due to injuries. She suffered a knee injury while playing for OL Reign in 2022. The injury was first told to be a minor one, but later turned out to be the one which ended her career. 

The injury needed two major surgeries and two years long rehabilitation, but still, Heath could not be fit to play football again. In frustration, she had to cut her football career.

"I tried f---ing everything to get back, I spent tens of thousands of dollars and [had] two surgeries, one crazy surgery. And the whole time I believed I was going to get back," Heath stated on her podcast with partner Christen Press. 

After three years of "accepting" that she would never play football again, Heath's 17-year-long career came to an end. 

The ultimate dream for any footballing nation is to compete on the biggest stage like the World Cup, and for Indian women's football team, the dream feels closer now.

On July 5, 2025, India secured AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification with a 2-1 victory over Thailand. The sensational midfielder from Bengal, Sangita Basfore scored both the goals to seal this historic win for the nation!

This crucial win, added to their strong performances againsy Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and Iraq, marked their return to the Asian Cup after 22 years. This success has now fueled the high hopes and big dream of reaching the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Now the question is: How can Indian Women's Football team qualify for the 2027 FIFA World Cup? Let's explore the details below.

Read Also: Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now

Why does AFC Asian Cup qualification matter?

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the regional body for football in Asia, operating under FIFA. Crucially, the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 isn't just a continental championship; it's Asia's direct qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

For 2027, Asia gets six direct World Cup spots and two additional play-off chances. This means performing well in this tournament is absolutely vital for India's World Cup dreams.

They will have to fight for the World Cup spot against 11 nations (7 other qualifying nations from 2025, the host Australia, and the top 3 teams from the previous 2022 edition).

Teams qualified alongside India in 2025 Asian Cup qualifiers:

1. Bangladesh
2. Phillipines
3. Vietnam
4. Chinese Taipei
5. North Korea
6. Uzbekistan
7. TBD

The Top 3 teams of 2022 edition:

1. China (Champions)
2. South Korea (Runners-up)
3. Japan (Third place)

Read Also: Best Indian Football Stadiums – Ranked by Capacity

India's qualification roadmap for the 2027 FIFA World Cup

To reach the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, India's performance at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 is everything.

Here's how they can make it possible:

• Reach the semi-finals: This is the clearest path for qualification as all four semi-finalists in the Asian Cup will automatically be eligible to qualify for WC.
• In case they don't reach semi-finals: If India reaches the quarter-finals but loses, there's still a chance. The losing teams will play additional matches against each other for the remaining two direct World Cup spots and the two play-off berths.

In short, India must aim to be among the top six teams in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 to have a direct shot at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.