Live Blog: Arsenal stars go head to head as Switzerland face Norway

Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz go up against their Arsenal team-mate Frida Maanum in Group A of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup



Live Blog: Arsenal stars go head to head as Switzerland face Norway

Lia Walti returned from a season-ending injury to play in the World Cup. Credit- @cardyfreddie


 

Live BLog Tuesday Jul 25th

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy: 10:53 #2428

    The next game with Arsenal involvement should be a cracker. It's Canada vs Republic of Ireland, kicking off at 1pm on Wednesday! We'll see you there.

  2. Freddie Cardy: 10:52 #2427

    Switzerland certainly look like the happier of the two sides at full time, and they played that perfectly. Norway will have to find their form to beat Philippines, or Frida Maanum will be back at London Colney a lot sooner than she would have hoped.

  3. Freddie Cardy: 10:51 #2426

    FULL TIME: Switzerland 0-0 Norway! A deserved point for the Swiss who move a point clear at the top of Group A, whilst Norway and Frida Maanum are frustrated once again. Noelle Maritz, and particularly Lia Walti were both excellent.

  4. Freddie Cardy: 10:49 #2425

    92' Brilliant from Crnogorcevic! Manages to keep the ball high in the corner for Switzerland before delivering a cross into the box, which is eventually saved. 0-0

  5. Freddie Cardy: 10:47 #2424

    91' How many minutes added on? Just the four! 0-0

  6. Freddie Cardy: 10:46 #2423

    90' Misplaced pass from Maanum out for a throw in, with Switzerland continuing to keep Norway at bay. 0-0

  7. Freddie Cardy: 10:44 #2422

    87' Really important tackle by Walti as the ball breaks to Reiten on the edge of the Swiss 'D'. 0-0

  8. Freddie Cardy: 10:44 #2421

    87' Bachmann continues to show her quality, coming down the left and slipping the ball into the box with the outside of her foot, almost finding Piubel. 0-0

  9. Freddie Cardy: 10:43 #2420

    86' Maritz is acting as the draught excluder in the Swiss wall, but her or their services were not required. Graham Hansen gets the free kick over the wall but it doesn't come back down, resulting in a goal kick. 0-0

  10. Freddie Cardy: 10:41 #2419

    84' Two Arsenal players have scored in this World Cup so far, Steph Catley and Amanda Ilestedt, and both were winning goals. Could Frida Maanum come up with some magic for Norway, who win a free kick on the edge of the box. 0-0

  11. Freddie Cardy: 10:40 #2418

    83' The game is opening up more now for Switzerland to counter attack but Norway continue to defend well whenever necessary. Can they find a chance to break this deadlock though? 0-0

  12. Freddie Cardy: 10:35 #2417

    78' Thalmann punches a corner away towards Maanum, who is almost tackled by a team mate as she looked to get a shot away. The Swiss goalkeeper is surely on to be player of the match if this result stands. 0-0

  13. Freddie Cardy: 10:32 #2416

    75' Crucial double save by Thalmann! Firstly to deny Graham Hansen who cut in onto her left foot and arrowed a shot into the corner, and then Maanum drilled the ball in from a tight angle- Thalmann make excellent stops to deny both. 0-0

  14. Freddie Cardy: 10:29 #2415

    72' Walti with another pinpoint switch to find Riesen, before Reuteler goes for goal from a long way out and her shot has to be stopped. 0-0

  15. Freddie Cardy: 10:26 #2414

    70' Twenty minutes to go- Switzerland will be happy with a draw and it's not the end of the world for Norway in Group A. Will Hege Riise's side go for the kill? They've won a corner here which is headed away by Crnogorcevic. 0-0

  16. Freddie Cardy: 10:23 #2413

    66' Textbook Lia Walti- recovering the ball on the edge of her box and picking out the pass to start a counter attack, but in the end Frida Maanum was recovering well to defend for Norway. 0-0

  17. Freddie Cardy: 10:21 #2412

    64' Bachmann again is able to break into the box but her shot is dragged wide on her left foot. 0-0

  18. Freddie Cardy: 10:20 #2411

    63' Some more footage of Hegerberg just before the game is circulating- the Norway striker turns and leaves the squad just as they go into the team huddle before kick-off, with every player appearing very confused as she turns and leaves. One to keep an eye on. 0-0

  19. Freddie Cardy: 10:15 #2410

    59' Bachmann plays a one-two with Sow and gets into the box, with Mjelde coming across to smash the ball behind for a corner, which is overhit. 0-0

  20. Freddie Cardy: 10:14 #2409

    57' Caroline Graham Hansen is introduced, replacing Amelie Eikeland. Big moment in the game for Norway. 0-0

  21. Freddie Cardy: 10:12 #2408

    55' Thalmann with another important save to deny a fine half-volley from Haug, diving down to her left. Maanum then wrestles down Reuteler and the referee blows her whistle. 0-0

  22. Freddie Cardy: 10:06 #2407

    50' A Norway corner comes in and Mjelde got into a good position to head the ball straight into the arms of Thalmann. 0-0

  23. Freddie Cardy: 10:04 #2406

    47' Maanum has a chance in a decent position in the box- Haug brought the ball down and Maanum had to turn to get a shot away, but it was wide. 0-0

  24. Freddie Cardy: 10:02 #2405

    46' After Beyonce finishes telling the stadium that if they like it, they should put a ring on it, we are underway for the second half! 0-0

  25. Freddie Cardy: 10:00 #2404

    Both teams are making their way back out onto the pitch for the second half.

  26. Freddie Cardy: 9:59 #2403

    Noelle Maritz was booked in Switzerland's opening game, so another yellow card at any stage before the quarter-finals will see her suspended for one game.

  27. Freddie Cardy: 9:56 #2402

    Philippines' 1-0 win over New Zealand earlier today means that if this result stands, Switzerland will go top of Group A with 4 points. New Zealand and Philippines have 3 each, and Norway would pick up 1. What a group!

  28. Freddie Cardy: 9:47 #2401

    45+1' Maanum is fouled, and that is the last act of a tentative first half. Chances for both sides, notably great opportunities for opposing strikers Haug and Crnogorcevic, but it remains goalless at the break. 0-0

  29. Freddie Cardy: 9:45 #2400

    45+1' Only 1 minute is added on- how old fashioned! 0-0

  30. Freddie Cardy: 9:45 #2399

    45' Bachmann is forced away from the edge of the box before Walti switches the ball wide and then links up with Maritz. 0-0

  31. Freddie Cardy: 9:42 #2398

    41' Absolutely teeming it down with rain in Hamilton, on New Zealand's North Island, as a few fouls are committed by both sides. 0-0

  32. Freddie Cardy: 9:39 #2397

    39' Norway are just not clicking here and Switzerland will be content with their efforts so far. After winning their opening game, a draw will not be a bad result whatsoever for Lia Walti and co. 0-0

  33. Freddie Cardy: 9:35 #2396

    35' Unfortunate for Haug from here- she is pushed by her team-mate Mjelde as Norway defend the corner and ends up knocking into fellow team-mate Eikeland! She's ok to continue after the physio came on. 0-0

  34. Freddie Cardy: 9:33 #2395

    33' Riesen's cross turns into something of a shot and the Norway goalkeeper has to quickly come across to her near post and tip the ball behind just to make sure. 0-0

  35. Freddie Cardy: 9:32 #2394

    32' Best chance for Switzerland, if not the game, so far. Sow slips the ball through and Crnogorcevic is onside, but the Barcelona striker blazes her shot over. 0-0

  36. Freddie Cardy: 9:29 #2393

    29' Steady defending by Maritz who uses her body well to take the ball away from Haug and play it out from the back. 0-0

  37. Freddie Cardy: 9:27 #2392

    27' Reiten wins a header against Walti and Norway build from the back with Switzerland happy to afford them time and space. 0-0

  38. Freddie Cardy: 9:24 #2391

    24' Wonderful save by Thalmann to deny a close range header by Haug! The striker, who was introduced just before kick off after Hegerberg couldn't play, just out-jumped Maritz but her effort is well saved by the Swiss keeper. 0-0

  39. Freddie Cardy: 9:23 #2390

    23' Walti nips in to steal the ball from the toes of Frida Maanum, the first time we've seen the two Arsenal players go face to face. 0-0

  40. Freddie Cardy: 9:22 #2389

    22' Up the other end the ball breaks to Mjelde after it's headed down by a Swiss defender, but the Chelsea defender's strike is high and wide. 0-0

  41. Freddie Cardy: 9:20 #2388

    20' Good defending by Norway captain Mjelde to intercept Piubel's through ball as Ramona Bachmann had looked to have timed her run to perfection. 0-0

  42. Freddie Cardy: 9:19 #2387

    19' Haavi's long range effort for Norway is blocked. 0-0

  43. Freddie Cardy: 9:17 #2386

    17' Frustration for Norway so far, and again here as Tuva Hansen's backheel is completely misread by her team mate and goes off for a throw. 0-0

  44. Freddie Cardy: 9:13 #2385

    13' Maanum drives into the box and was being held back, but cuts the ball across where it's met by a red shirt. The Arsenal midfielder then fouls Reuteler near the corner flag. 0-0

  45. Freddie Cardy: 9:11 #2384

    11' We're now being told that Hegerberg was in fact injured in the warm up. 0-0

  46. Freddie Cardy: 9:10 #2383

    10' Good challenge by Walti before Sow fouls Eikeland. 0-0

  47. Freddie Cardy: 9:07 #2382

    7' After playing at left-back in Switzerland's opening game, Noelle Maritz starts at centre-back against Norway. The 27 year old right back is proving her versatility already! 0-0

  48. Freddie Cardy: 9:05 #2381

    6' It was Lia Walti herself who dropped to the bench around ten minutes before kick-off when Arsenal played Brighton in Crawley back in May, with her team-mate Frida Maanum dropping in to a more defensive midfield role. Similar circumstances here for Norway but that was so, so close to kick off. 0-0

  49. Freddie Cardy: 9:03 #2380

    3' Sophie Haug comes in for Hegerberg upfront. 0-0

  50. Freddie Cardy: 9:02 #2379

    1' Sloppy by Switzerland who concede an early corner out of nowhere. It appears that Ada Hegerberg has had to drop out of the starting lineup just before kick-off, with reports that the Norway legend was feeling unwell. 0-0

  51. Freddie Cardy: 9:00 #2378

    1' KICK-OFF! 0-0

  52. Freddie Cardy: 8:59 #2377

    It's an all-WSL midfield for Norway with Chelsea star Guro Reiten alongside Maanum and Boe Risa.

  53. Freddie Cardy: 8:56 #2376

    A very rainy and windy night in Hamilton with raincoats and multiple layers essential for every spectator.

  54. Freddie Cardy: 8:55 #2375

    Time for the national anthems, starting with Switzerland.

  55. Freddie Cardy: 8:54 #2374

    Lia Walti captains Switzerland once again, and Kim Little has just been speaking about her on ITV: "She's Switzerland's most important player in how she connects the backline to the forward line, and also keeping the team organised and calm. She's such a calm influence on everyone and I think she'll be fundamental to them getting a good result today".

  56. Freddie Cardy: 8:52 #2373

    The big team news for Norway is that Barcelona's Ingrid Engen and Caroline Graham Hansen have been replaced in the starting eleven, a huge call by Hege Riise. Vilde Boe Risa of Manchester United is one of those to come in to the side.

  57. Freddie Cardy: 8:46 #2372

    Arsenal captain Kim Little is on punditry duty for ITV alongside Fran Kirby and there's an interesting discussion about Hege Riise's tenure in charge of Team GB for the 2021 Olympic Games. "A different type of leadership", they agree.

  58. Freddie Cardy: 8:42 #2371

    So Switzerland, New Zealand and Philippines all have three points on the board in Group A now with Norway the unlikely side rock bottom of the group after being shocked by New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament.

  59. Freddie Cardy: 8:38 #2370

    If you've just woken up, Group A has been well and truly blown wide open after Philippines beat co-hosts New Zealand by a goal to nil, thanks to Sarina Bolden's goal.

  60. Freddie Cardy: 8:35 #2369

    Good morning and welcome to our coverage of Switzerland versus Norway, with Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz taking on Frida Maanum in Group A.


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