New Zealand created history by defeating Norway in the opening game of the FIFA Women's World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. They became the first-ever New Zealand team (men or women) to win any FIFA World Cup finals match. The Football Ferns broke their 15-game win drought against a strong Norweigan team. Jitka Klimkova, the coach of the New Zealand Women's football team believe that this win will bring more passion to New Zealand football.

"I still have goosebumps. I still have emotions in me. We waited for this moment for such a long, long time," football ferns coach Jitka Kilmkova could not get over the emotions after the win. "Having this opportunity at home, beating Norway, stronger position, hearing our fans being behind us, that is just an unforgettable moment for me as a coach and of course for all the players that been involved," Klimkova added in the post-match press conference.

The Football Ferns looked solid from the right go in front of a record crowd at Eden Park. The first half was good for them but without any goals. However, the second half changed everything for them, maybe for the future of New Zealand football as well. Jitka Kilmkova believes the team was calm before the game and this is the most focused she saw her team in recent times and she was confident that her team can do some special things in the tournament.

"We're very calm. I think that was one of the most focused moments that I (have) seen this team being. I started believing after our game against Vietnam, (and) after our game against Italy. We have done so much and improved so much as a team, we started really believing that we can do it."

"Seeing us playing from the first minute, fighting for the country, fighting for us, the belief was even stronger. I think the performance we show the world was really solid and the result was well deserved."

It was Hannah Wilkinson's goal in the 48th minute that saw more than forty thousand Football Ferns fans cheer the loudest of their lives. A brilliant run from Indiah-Paige Riley and a perfect finish from Hannah was good enough for them to write history. Coach Jitka Kilmkova now has faith that this FIFA Women's World Cup can bring more New Zealanders to follow the beautiful game in a country made about Rugby.

"I really believe this world cup will wake up a lot of passion in football and one of our goals and priorities as a team, we want to keep inspiring with performances like tonight. This is just the beginning," Jitka Kilmkova told the media.

"We will have this crowd behind us every time we step on the field. That's what we need. The fans for us so important. So, I want to thank them for coming and supporting us and I hope they will keep coming. The love for football will in this country."

"I will never forget this moment when I saw those experienced players just..."finally it came", and what a great timing to do it at home," Jitka Klimkova expressed.

2023 saw many iconic sporting moments throughout the 12 months. From Cristiano Ronaldo's welcome in Saudi, to Spain winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, or, from Virat Kohli scoring his 50th ODI ton to Sheetal Devi shooting an archery with her legs, we have seen it all. Here's 20 iconic sports photos from the year 2023.

#20 | Healy, the photographer

#19 | Spain win the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

#18 |Australia loves football

#17 | Messi magic in Miami

#16 |Lauren Hemp breaks Colombian hearts

#15 | Selfie of the year in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023

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#14 | Danielle Collins' iconic serve

#13 | Postigo can do it on one foot

#12 | Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic

#11 | Cummins silences the Indian crowd

#10 | Chloe Kelly's bicycle kick

#9 | Kohli gets past the GOD

#8 | Saudi welcomes Cristiano Ronaldo

#7 | Wrestlers Protest

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#6 | Bou Samnang's inspiring last-place finish

#5 | Mad-Max-Well's double ton

#4 | Neeraj's gold and praise for Arshad

#3 | Australia crowned World Champions for sixth time

#2 | Armless archer Sheetal Devi creates history

#1 | Messi infinity

New coach Montse Tome was about to announce her squad on Friday for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26. Spanish Women's Football team continue to reject national team call-ups as they want more changes at the Spanish football federation following the scandal over Luis Rubiales' kiss."

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Spanish football is in the mud since Rubiales forcibly kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips in front of the world's media after Spain defeated England in the Women's World Cup final on August 20 in Australia. 81 Spanish players, including the 23 world champions wrote a letter last month stating they would not play for the national team without significant changes at the head of the federation.

Since then Rubiales has resigned and the football federation sacked their controversial coach Jorge Vilda. Spanish media said the players would release a statement outlining the changes that they still expect to see before they return to the pitch.

World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual and a Spanish judge has summoned Rubiales to appear in court on Friday in a sexual assault investigation. Luis Rubiales stood down from his post on Sunday, three weeks after the incident during the final medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup triumph. He continued to insist on his kiss on Hermoso's lips to be consensual.

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"What we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened," Luis Rubiales told TalkTV show Piers Morgan Uncensored.

The 46-year-old described the kiss as "non-sexual". He also compared his behaviour to how he would act with his daughters. "My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100 percent non-sexual, 100 percent, I repeat, 100 percent," said Rubiales.

"You can imagine if you win the lottery or hopefully soon one day the war in Ukraine finishes, I mean celebrations will go on up and down the globe," he added. "People don't ask permission, it's just a happy, happy time and people celebrate. Of course, I have said it from the beginning, I made a mistake, and I apologized in a sincere manner," he further added.

Over 80 women's players went on strike from the national team. Spanish Football Federation sacked the controversial coach Jorge Vilda. The former chief stepped down on Sunday to help Spain's 2030 men's World Cup bid, as well as his family who came under pressure after his actions.

Spanish public prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against football chief Luis Rubiales for sexual assault after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent. Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rubiales faced backlash after a video went viral on the internet. Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the medal ceremony of Spain's Women's World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.

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"The prosecutors request that Luis Rubiales be questioned as an accused and Jenni Hermoso as a victim," the prosecutors' office said in a statement. It happened after Hermoso filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.

If the judge accepts the request, a magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation. It will end either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or dismissed. Under Spanish law, sexual assault includes a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different penalties. The punishment for a non-consensual kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison.

Hermoso's complaint against Luis Rubiales:

Hermoso said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling "vulnerable and like the victim of an assault". On social media, she described it as "an impulsive, macho act, out of place. There were no type of consent on her part.

She also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak in his defense immediately after it went viral on social media. World football governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days after he refused to resign from his post. 81 players went on strike from the women's side in protest after Rubiales' "false feminism" speech.

In a statement last week Rubiales reiterated that the kiss was "a mutual and consensual act" with "overflowing jubilation on both sides". The RFEF apologized for the "totally unacceptable behaviour" of Rubiales on Tuesday and fired Jorge Vilda.

The Spanish soccer federation fired Women's National Team coach Jorge Vilda, just three weeks after his team won the Women's World Cup title and the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales.

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Jorge Vilda was among those who applauded Luis Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the title celebrations in Sydney last month.

Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture after the final, has been provisionally suspended by FIFA and is facing a Spanish government case against him for the conduct that prompted a storm of criticism and led to widespread calls for his resignation.