Northern Ireland were outclassed on their major tournament debut as Norway romped to a comprehensive 4-1 Euro 2022 victory in Southampton.First-half finishes from Julie Blakstad and Frida Maanum, plus a Caroline Graham Hansen penalty, put the two-time European champions on course for a routine success to dampen a historic occasion for their opponents.Defender Julie Nelson – Northern Ireland’s most-capped female player – gave the competition’s lowest-ranked nation brief hope of an unlikely comeback by heading in a landmark goal just after the interval.But Guro Reiten’s free-kick sealed a routine success for Martin Sjogren’s side to move them level on three points with hosts England at the top of Group A.A difficult evening for Kenny Shiels’ underdogs was compounded by forward Simone Magill – who has just moved from Everton to Aston Villa – leaving the field in tears late on due to injury.RecommendedOver £130m handed to housing providers named and shamed by regulatorStat of the dayShot of the dayNorthern Ireland’s Julie Nelson is mobbed by team-mates after scoring their side’s first goal at a major tournament (Nigel French/PA) (PA Wire)Quote of the day I definitely did not think it would be me on the scoresheet but it is an incredible feeling to score Northern Ireland's first goal in a major tournament Heu
Northern Ireland were outclassed on their major tournament debut as Norway romped to a comprehensive 4-1 Euro 2022 victory in Southampton.First-half finishes from Julie Blakstad and Frida Maanum, plus a Caroline Graham Hansen penalty, put the two-time European champions on course for a routine success to dampen a historic occasion for their opponents.Defender Julie Nelson – Northern Ireland’s most-capped female player – gave the competition’s lowest-ranked nation brief hope of an unlikely comeback by heading in a landmark goal just after the interval.But Guro Reiten’s free-kick sealed a routine success for Martin Sjogren’s side to move them level on three points with hosts England at the top of Group A.A difficult evening for Kenny Shiels’ underdogs was compounded by forward Simone Magill – who has just moved from Everton to Aston Villa – leaving the field in tears late on due to injury.RecommendedOver £130m handed to housing providers named and shamed by regulatorStat of the dayShot of the dayNorthern Ireland’s Julie Nelson is mobbed by team-mates after scoring their side’s first goal at a major tournament (Nigel French/PA) (PA Wire)Quote of the day I definitely did not think it would be me on the scoresheet but it is an incredible feeling to score Northern Ireland's first goal in a major tournament Jiliplay