Three first half goals help Norway dispatch Northern Ireland 4-1 and leapfrog England into top spot in Group A as Ada Hegerberg and Co make PERFECT start to Euro 2022
- Norway beat Northern Ireland 4-1 on Thursday to take pole position in Group A
- Julie Blakstad and Frida Maanum fired Norway 2-0 up in the opening 13 minutes
- Caroline Graham Hansen then scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute
- Norway’s Guro Reiten cancelled out Julie Nelson’s goal shortly after half-time
Norway made a perfect start to Euro 2022 with a convincing 4-1 victory against Northern Ireland at St Mary’s stadium, leapfrogging England to the top of Group A on goal difference.
Three minutes after Julie Blakstad’s strike handed Norway the lead in the 10th minute, Frida Maanum capitalised on defensive mix-up from Northern Ireland to double the lead.
A 32-minute spot-kick from Caroline Graham Hansen put Norway 3-0 up at half-time, before Julie Nelson clawed one back for Northern Ireland shortly after the break.
But Guro Reiten ultimately marred the comeback in the 54th minute, inspiring Norway to hold on for a comfortable 4-1 win.
More to follow.
Norway smashed Northern Ireland 3-0 and soared above England at the summit of Group A
Julie Blakstad opened the scoring for Norway with a confident strike in the 10th minute
Frida Maanum capitalised on a defensive breakdown from Northern Ireland to double the lead
It was a tough night for Jackie Burns and Northern Ireland who were 2-0 down after 13 minutes
Winger Caroline Graham Hansen made it three from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark
Julie Nelson gave Northern Ireland hope with a 49th minute goal to claw back the deficit
Guro Reiten scored in the 54th minute to fire Norway 4-1 ahead and clinch top spot in Group A
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