Austria’s Nicole Billa books quarter-final with Germany as Norway crash out

Austria rocked the Amex Stadium with a crushing upset as they defeated Norway 1-0 to secure a quarter-final place and send the Norwegians home in the group stage for the second Euros in a row.

Nicole Billa’s first-half header proved enough to defeat disappointing opponents after a dominant performance in Brighton. Austria will now play the Group B winners, Germany, in Brentford on Thursday.

Austria started with a high tempo, winning a free-kick and nicking midfield ball. They earned the first corner of the game with Verena Hanshaw hammering it in but Guro Pettersen settled any Norway nerves with a simple catch. Manuela Zinsberger was tested next. Guro Reiten sent in a great ball but the Arsenal shot-stopper plucked it from the air.

A succession of free-kicks led to another Austrian corner which pinballed around the box, eventually landing to Laura Feiersinger. Her strike rattled the woodwork after Pettersen fumbled the save. In the chaos in the box Nicole Billa took a knock to the head but the playmaker was soon back to her feet.

Caroline Graham Hansen got some edge back into the Norwegian attack, making a great run but she sent her attempt wide. Julie Blakstad then did a stellar job in defence as Austria looked to press once more. She stole the ball, ran around two defenders and won a free-kick.

Her masterful footwork frustrated Julia Hicklesberger-Füller whose objections to referee Kateryna Monzul earned her a yellow for dissent. The Norwegian set-piece saw the team building from deep but it led to nothing, Austria defended well to keep the pressure on their opponents.

Austrian fans gasps rang around the Amex Stadium as Billa looked to shoot. Pettersen pushed it away and Frida Maanum made a last-ditch clearance to keep