Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland: Debutants swept aside in crushing defeat as Norway lay down Euro 2022 marker

A historic occasion for Northern Ireland ended in a heavy 4-1 defeat as Kenny Shiels’ side were taken apart by Norway in their Euro 2022 Group A opener at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton. After beating Ukraine in a two-legged play-off to qualify for their first-ever major tournament, Northern Ireland started with confidence and attacking intent against their illustrious opponents, two-time winners Norway.

However, their early enthusiasm was blown away by a couple of goals as Norway took complete control of the game within the opening 13 minutes. Ad/> Manchester City wingback Julie Blakstad was afforded too much space down the left as she latched onto Guro Reitin’s reverse pass and stuck it past Jackie Burns at her near post.

Women's World Cup Qualification UEFANI players back Shiels after 'women more emotional than men' comment14/04/2022 AT 14:09 If the first goal was forgivable, the second most certainly wasn’t as Northern Ireland’s attempt to play out from the back backfired horribly. Chloe McCarron was closed down by Frida Maanum, who continued her run to tap home Ada Hegerberg’s square pass.

Caroline Graham Hansen added a third from the penalty spot in the 31st-minute after Nadene Caldwell’s clear handball was spotted by VAR. Northern Ireland — boosted by the introduction of captain Melissa Callaghan, deemed not fit enough to start — were more adventurous in the second half and their reward was a moment to remember: a goal.

Julie Nelson – on her 126th cap — making history as she headed past Guro Pettersen four minutes after the restart. But any hopes of a comeback were quickly quashed just moments later when Chelsea attacker Reiten wrong-footed Burns with a smart curling free-kick, a goal that wrapped up the scoring.