A World Cup host, or even co-host, had never previously exited at the group stage but there is a first time for everything and New Zealand must now become reluctant bystanders at their own party.
While a desperately unadventurous Switzerland did just sufficient to secure the point that ensured they top Group A and will now face either Japan or Spain in the round of 16, Jitka Klimkova’s tearful side finished third.
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