AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Norway’s top striker Ada Hegerberg will miss Sunday’s all-important match in the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup against the Philippines.
Norway coach Hege Riise confirmed the news during the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
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Hegerberg suffered an injury prior to their match against Switzerland last Tuesday where she was seen walking off the pitch after the singing of the national anthem.
The 28-year-old Hegerberg is the all-time leading scorer in the Uefa Women’s Champions League with 59 goals.
Hegerberg’s absence comes with Norway’s opponent Philippines going for a place in the knockout stage with a win over the world No. 12.
“We know there was a possibility once she got injured that she can’t play,” said Riise through an interpreter. “The medical team has been working to see if it’s possible for her to play the match. But today, it has turned out that she cannot play tomorrow.”
Riise is hopeful that Hegerberg will be healthy in time for the knockout stages, if the team makes it there.
Norway, though, remains on the bubble with just a point in Group A, with its chances of advancing dependent on the result of the match between Switzerland and New Zealand, and the number of goals they score if they beat the Philippines.
“She will be preparing for a possible next match,” said Riise.
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