"Honestly it means the world," she told reporters.
"Obviously, you know, we had such amazing support tonight, and I think that's what really made a difference for us."
New Zealand's build up to the World Cup had been far from perfect, enduring a 10-match winless streak before beating Vietnam in a friendly earlier this month.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited the squad in the locker room to offer his congratulations, coach Jitka Klimkova told reporters.
Reporting by Amy Tennery and Nathan Frandino in Auckland; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson, Norway's Mathilde Harviken REUTERS, David Rowland AUCKLAND, Hannah Wilkinson, Wilkinson, I'm, Malia Steinmetz, we've, Chris Hipkins, Jitka Klimkova, Amy Tennery, Nathan Frandino, Peter Rutherford
Organizations:
Soccer Football, FIFA, New Zealand, Football Ferns, Zealand, Switzerland, Thomson
Locations:
New Zealand, Zealand, Norway, Eden, Auckland , New Zealand, Vietnam, Philippines, Auckland