A place in the knockout rounds of the Women's World Cup 2023 will be on the line when Norway Women face the Philippines Women on Sunday.

Norway are sitting at the bottom of Group A with one point to their name, while the Philippines occupy third place after collecting maximum points on Matchday Two.

Match preview

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Norway would have come into the tournament with the expectation of making it out of the group, but they are facing the prospect of an early exit after picking up just one point from their opening two games.

After losing 1-0 to tournament co-hosts New Zealand on Matchday One, Norway were held to a goalless draw in Tuesday's meeting with Switzerland.

Their campaign has shown signs of unravelling after Caroline Graham Hansen criticised the decision to start her on the bench for the draw with Switzerland.

The Barcelona winger has since apologised for her post-match remarks, and like the rest of the Norway squad, she will be focused on ending her country's six-game winless run.

La Nati will progress to the knockout rounds if they win and either Switzerland or New Zealand emerge victorious in their contest, while a draw in the group's other match would bring goal difference into play.

The Philippines, meanwhile, were in dreamland on Tuesday when they secured their first-ever win at a World Cup finals.

Sarina Bolden's first-half header proved enough to claim a narrow victory over New Zealand, moving them level on three points with the tournament co-hosts.

The Philippines, who sit just outside the top two on goal difference, will qualify for the knockout rounds in their first World Cup finals appearance if they beat Norway on Sunday.

If they were to pick up a point at Eden Park, the Philippines would require a Switzerland victory or New Zealand to win by a considerable margin.

Having won six of their last eight internationals, Alen Stajcic's side will head into their final group game in a positive mood.

Team News

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Norway boss Hege Riise is expected to recall Graham Hansen to the starting lineup for Sunday's must-win game.

Ada Hegerberg pulled out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's goalless draw after suffering a groin injury in the warm-up, and Norway's star striker remains a doubt for the final group match.

After being brought into the starting lineup against Switzerland, Manchester United midfielder Vilde Boe Risa is expected to retain her place in the side.

As for the Philippines, Stajcic is expected to select the same lineup that started the narrow win over New Zealand.

Olivia McDaniel will feature in goal, and she will be shielded by the centre-back pairing of Hali Long and Angela Beard.

After becoming the first Philippines player to score at a World Cup finals, Bolden will be hoping to find the net once again when she leads the line alongside Katrina Guillou.

Norway Women possible starting lineup:
Mikalsen; Bjelde, Mjelde, Harviken, Hansen; Maanum, Boe Risa, Reiten; Graham Hansen, Haavi, Eikeland

Philippines Women possible starting lineup:
McDaniel; Barker, Long, Beard, Harrison; Sawicki, Cowart, Eggesvik, Quezada; Bolden, Guillou

We say: Norway Women 2-0 Philippines Women

While there may be tension in the Norway camp, they will still go into Sunday's contest as the heavy favourites, and we think that they will live up to that tag by rounding off the group stage with a victory.

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