Norway made a dominant begin to the Women's Euro 2022 as they swept aside event debutants Northern Ireland 4-1 at St Mary's on Thursday.
The -time champions launched their quest for a third European title in a commanding way, with Julie Blakstad, Frida Maanum, Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten all getting at the scoresheet.
Norway did not locate the internet in three matches at Euro 2017 but took just 10 minutes to open their account this time round; Reiten releasing Blakstad to drill beyond Jacqueline Burns at her close to post. Their lead was doubled simply 3 minutes later. Maanum dispossessed Chloe McCarron high up the sphere, earlier than receiving Ada Hegerberg's go back skip and slotting into the empty internet. Hansen made it three from the penalty spot inside the 31st minute after Nadene Caldwell became penalised for handball.
The lowest-ranked team inside the competition, Kenny Shiels' side produced a lively response after the ruin and pulled a aim returned within 4 mins of the restart when Julie Nelson headed in from close variety.
But Martin Sjogren's team had the final phrase and thwarted any capability comeback five mins later whilst Reiten beat Burns with a scrumptious 20-backyard unfastened-kick.
