Northern Ireland had a difficult start in their first major tournament, as they were defeated by Norway in their Group A match at Southampton. Martin Sjögren’s side took the lead in the group by a goal difference, leaving England in first place after the 1-0 win over Austria on Wednesday.
“It was a relief after the last European Championship, it was a disaster for us. We didn’t even score a goal [in 2017]Said Caroline Graham Hansen. “To be able to recover and start well, it was important for everyone. I think everyone who was there in 2017 felt a relief when we scored the first goal. “Graham Hansen showed that Northern Ireland was expected to have a tough afternoon in the early stages. He beat several defenders to run half. Guro Reiten was caught napping as Frida Maanum lifted a ball over him following a free kick, but the ball hit the bar, rebounding into the keeper’s arms.
Northern Ireland needed a defensive strength to try to win a point, but it didn’t take long until Norway scored. In the tenth minute, the ball was well worked by Julie Blakstad, who cut it in the lower left corner. Northern Ireland almost scored after a counterattack 80 minutes into the match, but Rachel Furness took a shot from the left that landed harmlessly in the side of the net.
A show of defensive terror allowed Maanum to jump. Goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns played a short ball to Chloe McCarron but came in the way of Hegerberg. The Lyon striker gave a pass to Arsenal’s Maanum, who doubled his lead. Maanum continued to cheer with another thunderous blow that went just wide and won a corner. Hegerberg came close with a header, but it didn’t take long until he got the third.
The VAR was used as Nadene Caldwell seemed to drive while defending a corner. Referee Lina Lehtovaara made a penalty after a review and Graham Hansen made no mistake to make Norway 3-0.
Northern Ireland coach Kenny Shiels disagreed with the call and said at his post-match press conference: “The Nordic referee, who was refereeing a match with a Nordic team, went I don’t say a minute because she was the referee, I just say these statistics were there. I don’t think it’s appropriate [for a Finnish referee to take charge of a Norway match]. I don’t blame her for the defeat, but I don’t think we should talk about it too much because this is a secondary event. “
Simone Magill had Northern Ireland’s best chance in the half, but his quick long-range shot hit the billboards. The loudest roar of the evening came just after the break, when Norway did not deflect and Julie Nelson headed towards goal. Goalkeeper Guro Pettersen could not stop the ball over the line to give the Shiels their first goal in a great tournament.
Northern Irishwoman Julie Nelson (left) recovers a goal early in the second half. Photography: Graham Hunt / ProSports / Shutterstock
Another Northern Ireland defensive communication error almost canceled out his good work, but Abbie Magee made an impressive start off the line. However, Norway were unable to counter-attack when they could.
The Chelsea midfielder has been scoring wonderful goals for his club all season, so this cracker will not have surprised WSL fans. The next action saw Hegerberg call for a penalty while Magee fought her to the ground but nothing was given. The Champions League top scorer thought he had finally scored his goal in the 68th minute when he touched a pass from Reiten, but it was disallowed.
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Illustration: Guardian Design
In heartbreaking scenes, Magill, who has recently signed for Aston Villa, limped through tears. A horrible ending for his party and worrying for the rest of the Northern Ireland campaign.
Shiels revealed after the game that he is worried about Magill, who said he will not appear in his next match against Austria, and added: “It’s his knee. I’m a football coach, not a doctor, but it doesn’t sound like much. well. ”There was also cause for concern for Hegerberg, as Captain Sarah McFadden cut her off, but she quickly got up.
Burns managed to save more blush from Northern Ireland with three big stops in the final stages. But it was Norway night and they have put on a glove in this tournament. Sarina Wiegman’s team will have a battle on their hands when they face them on Monday.