Ada Hegerberg scores hat-trick on her return to the Norway squad after five years away from international football

After being away from the Norway national team for five years, Ada Hegerberg marked her return in sensational style by hitting a hat-trick as her side thrashed Kosovo 5-1 in their Women’s World Cup qualifying match. The 26-year-old Lyon forward walked away from international duty in 2017, saying there was a lack of respect for women players in Norway. Ad/> It didn’t take long for the highly decorated player — who was the first winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or — to make her mark on her comeback, heading in Caroline Hansen’s cross after 20 minutes.

Just two minutes later, Hegerberg was at it again, striking home from inside the penalty area. /> Football'One of the best in the world' — Conte lavishes praise on Tottenham forward Kane2 HOURS AGO After the break, Kosovo got themselves back into the game with a neatly taken goal, but Hegerberg was not done and was always going to be keen to hit the headlines on her return. On the hour mark, she raced onto a through ball from Vilde Risa before slamming the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs to complete her hat-trick.

Having seen a change in attitudes and personnel within the Norwegian setup, Hegerberg has chosen to return, which, on this showing, is great news for her team-mates, with the Women’s Euros in England just three months away. One factor thought to be key in her return is former player Lise Klaveness taking on the role of president of the Norwegian Football Federation. She has also raised concerns over gender inequality in the past.