Norway, who hadn’t scored in their previous two Group A matches, found their rhythm at the perfect time and brushed aside the Philippines with a 6-0 demolition in Auckland. Reiten and Mjelde played the full 90 minutes for the third game running.

Elsewhere, Sydney served up late drama as Colombia scored deep into second-half stoppage time to down Germany 2-1 in Group H. Melanie Leupolz and Ann-Katrin Berger were unused substitutes, while Sjoeke Nusken came off the bench at half-time in a bid to try and change German fortunes.

Cruise control

It was an ideal start for Norway who broke the deadlock inside six minutes when Sophie Roman Haug struck a wonderful left-footed volley across the goalkeeper. It didn’t take long for the forward to double her tally with a looping header, before Caroline Graham Hansen buried an excellent long-range effort which put Norway in cruise control at the break.

Three minutes after the restart, Norway were gifted a fourth goal when Alicia Barker turned the ball into her own net under pressure from Reiten, who added a fifth from the penalty spot when VAR intervened to award a foul on our Chelsea star. Things went from bad to worse for the Philippines who saw Sofia Harrison sent off for a late challenge on Thea Bjelde with 20 minutes to play.

During 11 minutes of stoppage time, Norway netted a sixth and Reiten turned provider when she stood up a trademark left-footed cross for Haug to head home and complete the rout, which relieved some pressure on the Norwegians and takes them to the knockout stage after a turbulent start to their World Cup campaign.

Late drama

It was a tight affair between Germany and Colombia in the opening 45 minutes and there was nothing to separate the sides at the interval. The Germans came closest to opening the scoring when Alexandra Popp volleyed over from close range having been left in space inside the penalty area.

Nusken was introduced at the break and slotted into the backline for her first World Cup minutes. However, the pendulum swung in Colombia’s favour just seven minutes into the second half when Linda Caicedo picked out the top corner with a curling effort.

With minutes remaining of normal time, Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez brought down Lena Oberdorf inside the box for a penalty which Popp converted with conviction. However, Colombia snatched all three points in dramatic fashion when Manuela Vanegas headed home in the seventh minute of stoppage time to leave Germany with work to do to qualify for the last 16.

What’s next?

After finishing runners-up in Group A, Norway will take on the winners of Group C which will be determined tomorrow (Monday) when Spain and Japan meet in Wellington at 8am (UK time).

Germany have one match left to escape Group H and they will need to get a favourable result when they face Korea Republic in Brisbane on Thursday 3 August, with kick-off scheduled for 11am (UK time).