Boe Risa bows out of World Cup
Manchester United midfielder Vilde Boe Risa has seen her 2023 Women's World Cup dream come to an end as Norway were knocked out of the competition by Japan.
Boe Risa started the last-16 clash in Wellington and despite setting up a goal for her nation, it was Japan who were on the right side of a 3-1 scoreline.
While Norway head home, their Asian opponents progress to the quarter finals and will face either Sweden or defending champions USA in the next round.
A difficult start saw Norway fall behind in only the first minute after an own goal by Barcelona’s Ingrid Egen.
Despite the early setback, the Norwegians were level on 20 minutes when Boe Risa created the leveller by getting to the byline and cutting the ball back for Chelsea midfielder Guro Reiten to nod home the first goal Japan have conceded at the tournament.
The score between the two former World Cup winners was therefore level at the break but Futoshi Ikeda's side were back in front after 50 minutes through West Ham’s Risa Shimizu.
With Norway chasing the game, Boe Risa was substituted on 63 minutes. Nine minutes from time, Hinata Miyazawa slid the ball into the bottom right corner for her fifth goal of the tournament to secure the win.
It means the Norwegian's World Cup quest ends at the first knockout stage, after they progressed from Group A as runners-up.
In the other side of the draw, United’s Lionesses trio Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem await their last-16 tie with Nigeria on Monday.