Norway star Ada Hegerberg pulls out of Women’s World Cup clash against Switzerland at the last minute
Norway star Ada Hegerberg dramatically pulled out of her side’s crucial Women’s World Cup clash against Switzerland seconds before kick-off after suffering a groin problem.
There were confusing scenes at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium on Tuesday as the 28-year-old walked off the pitch and back down the tunnel to the dressing room while her team-mates were kicking off.
Hegerberg, one of her country’s most important players, had been selected to lead the line in the starting XI and took a full part in the pre-match warm-up.
She lined up with the rest of the starters for the pre-match picture and sung the national anthem, shaking hands with the Swiss opposition before exiting the pitch at the very last moment.
Initially spectators thought Hegerberg, a former Ballon d’Or Feminin winner, would re-emerge but she was replaced by Sophie Roman Haug seconds before kick-off.
What caused Ada Hegerberg to pull out?
There had been suggestions Hegerberg was suffering from an illness, but Norway have now released a statement confirming that she picked up a groin issue with the very last action of her pre-match warm-up.
The brief statement read: ‘Update from national team doctor Trygve Hunemo: Ada Hegerberg got a feeling in the groin on the last sprint during the warm-up.’
Norway tried to give Hegerberg every opportunity to run off the injury but she was forced to withdraw from the starting XI and she will now be a doubt for the side’s final group game against the Philippines on Sunday.
Philippines shock New Zealand in earlier kick-off
The minnows actually pulled off the shock of the tournament so far in Tuesday’s earlier kick-off, stunning hosts New Zealand in Wellington.
Despite the Football Ferns enjoying 69% possession and racking up 16 shots on goal in the match, the Philippines secured a famous 1-0 win courtesy of Sarina Bolden’s first-half strike – the only shot they had on target in the entire game.
Norway, meanwhile, went into the half-time break against Switzerland with the scores tied at 0-0 though edged the contest, with Hegerberg’s replacement Haug coming closest to finding a breakthrough in the first 45 minutes.
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