Co-hosts New Zealand out as Norway, Switzerland progress

New Zealand and Switzerland played out an underwhelming 0-0 stalemate in the Women's World Cup on Sunday, sending the co-hosts out of the tournament on goal difference and the Europeans through to the last 16 as Group A winners.

Norway's 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines in the other group game in Auckland put them level on four points with New Zealand but second on goal difference.

The results meant New Zealand, who stunned Norway in their opening match before losing to the Philippines in their second, became the first Women's World Cup hosts to exit in the group stage.

Roared on by a near-capacity crowd of 25,947 at the indoor Dunedin Stadium, New Zealand lacked nothing in effort but could not find the goal they needed to progress, with several players in tears at the final whistle.

"I can't ask any more of the players. There's a lot of tears out there but they should be so proud," New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley said. "We fought really hard...there's such disappointment but I want everyone to be proud of what we've achieved.

Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick as Norway put a turbulent two weeks behind them and squeaked into the knockout stages on goal difference with a 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines at Eden Park.

Winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten also scored to help the 1995 champions finish in second place in Group A, with their first win of the tournament.

The Philippines, who finished bottom of the group despite their first World Cup win over New Zealand, ended the match with ten players after defender Sofia Harrison was shown a red card in the 67th minute for a foul on Thea Bjelde.

"We felt it was us against the world today and we performed from the very start, delivering when we really had to," said Norway coach Hege Riise. "This was the best response we could have given the Norwegian people and ourselves."