Northern Ireland Women bravely put up a fight on a historic night for Kenny Shiels’ side, but were beaten 4-1 by Norway in their Euro 2022 opener at St Mary’s.
In their first game of a major tournament, Northern Ireland always faced an uphill task against a talented Norwegian side, but they were shocked when a trio of goals in the first half put the game over before half-time.
After left-back Julie Blakstad beat Jackie Burns to her post in the 10th minute, Norway reappeared three minutes later when Northern Ireland tried to play out from the back, with Frida Maanum going in for an easy finish.
It was three on the half hour when Caroline Graham Hansen fired in from the penalty spot after a VAR review saw a handball by Nadene Caldwell from a corner, and Northern Ireland gratefully went in at halftime that they weren’t further behind.
They formed a more confident and organized team, giving themselves hope with a new moment in history, as Rachel Furness kept alive a corner to cross for Julie Nelson to nod home at close quarters.
Julie Nelson nodded at Northern Ireland’s first-ever final goal
The two sides briefly switched roles and Northern Ireland pushed for more, but their tentative hopes of a comeback were dashed when Chelsea’s Guro Reiten fired a 20-yard free kick to secure a clear win for Norway.
‘Nervous’ Northern Ireland finds life hard against quality opposition
Northern Ireland and Norway knew each other after being drawn into the same qualifying group for the final tournament, with the Green & White Army on the wrong side of two 6-0 defeats when they met in Belfast and Stavanger.
That, coupled with the newfound experience of reaching a grand final, was enough to make Northern Ireland nervous against such high-quality opponents in the first half, and despite registering a lot of ball possession, it looked fragile when they lost the ball.
It was made too easy to switch the game leading to the Norwegian opener and chaotic when Ada Hagerberg robbed the Northern Ireland defense to set up the second.
Only then did Shiels’ team begin to get a grip on the procedure and would not concede a goal for the rest of the game.
Norway defeated a brave Northern Ireland side 4-1 in the Green and White Army’s first game at a major tournament
His halftime message at 3-0 down would probably have focused on the second half deficit rather than saving the game, but after Nelson’s header shortly after the break, there was a brief moment when it looked like an unlikely comeback to the cards could be.
It didn’t materialize, with Reiten’s free kick bursting the Northern Ireland bubble again, but there are signs of optimism to carry into Monday’s second game against Austria, which will see Shiels and his team as the opponents to beat. consider – if they can sustain their second game. – half show in 90 minutes.
What’s next?
Norway and Northern Ireland will return to action on Monday. Norway will take on England at Amex Stadium (kick-off 8pm), while Northern Ireland will take on Austria at St Mary’s (kick-off 5pm).
Group A will be closed on Friday 15 July. Northern Ireland will take on tournament host England in Southampton and Norway will face Austria at the Amex Stadium. Both games start at 8:00 PM.
Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports
Keep up to date with the latest European Championship 2022 this summer via Sky Sports and Sky Sports News.
The coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will provide analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
The experts and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team across the country to the various stadiums where matches are played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded as Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast from June 21 before the tournament. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews, as well as a strong program around the tournament.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: The program…
group stage
wednesday july 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday 7 July
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
friday july 8
Group B: Spain vs Finland – Kick-off 5:00 PM, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Denmark – 8pm kick-off, London Community Stadium
Saturday July 9th
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland – Kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden – kick-off at 8pm, Bramall Lane
sunday july 10
Group D: Belgium vs Iceland – Kick-off 5:00 PM, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Italy – 8pm kick-off, New York Stadium
Monday 11 July
Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland – Kick-off 5pm, St Mary’s
Group A: England v Norway – 8pm kick-off, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
tuesday july 12
Group B: Denmark vs Finland – kick-off 5:00 PM, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Spain – 8pm kick-off, London Community Stadium
Wednesday 13 July
Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland – Kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands v Portugal – 8pm kick-off, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday 14 July
Group D: Italy vs Iceland – Kick-off 5:00 PM, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – 8pm kick-off, New York Stadium
Friday 15 July
Group A: Northern Ireland – England – Kick-off 8pm, St Mary’s
Group A: Austria vs Norway – 8pm kick-off, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain – 8pm kick-off, London Community Stadium
sunday july 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – Kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday 18 July
Group D: Iceland vs France – 8pm kick-off, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium – 8pm kick-off, Manchester City Academy Stadium
knockout phase
Quarter-finals
wednesday july 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – Kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday 21 July
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – Kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
friday 22 july
Quarter-finals 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – Kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – Kick-off 8:00 PM, New York Stadium
Semi finals
tuesday 26 july
Semi Finals 1: Quarter Final Winners 1 v Quarter Final Winners 3 – Kick-off 8:00 PM, Bramall Lane
wednesday july 27
Semifinal 2: Winners Quarter Finals 2 v Winners Quarter Finals 4 – Kick-off 8:00 PM, Stadium MK
Last
sunday July 31
Semi-final winners 1 v Semi-final winners 2 – kick-off 5pm, Wembley