The Football Ferns have been eliminated from the Women's Football World Cup, held to a scoreless draw by Switzerland in Dunedin.
Despite opening the tournament with a history-making victory over Norway, failure to defeat Philippines and Switzerland saw the Football Ferns finish the group stage with just four points.
And with a 6-0 hammering of the Philippines at Eden Park, Norway did enough to leapfrog the co-hosts to take second place in Group A, courtesy of superior goal difference.
With a win over Philippines and draw against Norway already under their belt, Switzerland put in a professional performance to see off any threat from the Football Ferns, and do what was needed to advance as group winners.
The draw leaves New Zealand still waiting for a senior side to advance to the knockout stage of a senior World Cup, albeit after the Ferns became the first Kiwi team to record a victory.
New Zealand's task was made clear from the outset, as Norway quickly raced to a 2-0 lead over Philippines at Eden Park, leaving the Football Ferns needing to draw at the very least to seal progression into the round of 16.
The Football Ferns' best chance of the opening half came when Jacqui Hand hit the bar with a volley. But when Norway's lead extended to 3-0, only victory would do for the Kiwis.
With scores locked at 0-0 at the break, coach Jitka Klimkova introduced Indiah-Paige Riley in the hope of finding the crucial goal to advance.
To make matters worse, Norway continued to fire goals past Philippines in the second half, meaning Switzerland also needed to avoid defeat to seal their progression.
But as the second half continued, and neither side able to find the back of the net, Klimkova rolled the dice by introducing striker Grace Jale, albeit leaving the Ferns short in midfield by replacing co-captain Ria Percival.
Striker Gabi Rennie replaced Hannah Wilkinson - the hero against Norway - in the dying minutes, as eight minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end.
A late foul on CJ Bott in stoppage time gave the Football Ferns a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area - even seeing goalkeeper Victoria Esson come forward.
But as the unlikeliest of recipients, Esson's headed effort didn't even challenge opposite Gaëlle Thalmann, as the last chance drifted wide.
And with time up, the Football Ferns could only watch on as Switzerland celebrated their progression, having to wait another four years for a chance to write their own history.
Football Ferns 0
Switzerland 0
