New Zealand midfielder Malia Steinmetz hails "unreal" World Cup win over Norway

New Zealand got its World Cup campaign off to a dream start on Thursday, earning a shock win over a heavily fancied Norway side.

It was a historic result for the Ferns, who secured a first World Cup win for the country, men's or women's.

"It's hard to describe, I think just the fact that we finally got that first ever win which has been so long overdue," midfielder Malia Steinmetz told CNN's Tara Subramaniam.

"That was just for all the girls that have made this team the way that the team is — in the past or future.

It's unreal."

The day got off to a difficult and emotional start after a shooting in Auckland, the city where the match against Norway was played, left three people dead, including the shooter.

Steinmetz said the team spoke about it before the match.

"It was just something that was so sad to experience as a city and nation and just so close on our back doorstep," she said.

"We obviously felt for the people that were involved and I know sports doesn't contrast with life, it's just a football game and so different to anyone's life.

So it was just trying to focus on what we could do and just give then any kind of support we could.

"It was just good to have the support out there today for us, even after everything that's gone on."