By Robert Wheeler
- England put eight past Norway to secure their place in the quarter-finals
- Sarina Wiegman’s side will go through as group winners
- The Lionesses face Northern Ireland in their final group stage game on Friday
BRIGHTON, UK – England stun Norway 8-0 in front of another sell-out crowd in a record-breaking performance to top their group.
After beating Austria 1-0 thanks to Beth Mead‘s goal which just crossed the line at Old Trafford last week. The Lionesses booked their place in the quarter-finals thanks to an emphatic 8-0 win over Norway. England took the lead in the 12th minute as Georgia Stanway fired her penalty into the top corner after Ellen White went down in the box. It was a soft penalty but VAR failed to intervene.
Sarina Wiegman‘s side doubled their lead in the 14th minute when Lauren Hemp tapped in from a Mead cross. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but VAR overturned the decision. The Lionesses’ attacks were relentless and in the 18th minute, White scored her 51st goal for her country with a composed finish into the bottom corner. The forward had been on a goal drought and you could see her relief and passion in her celebration.
Mead made it four in the 33rd minute with a header from an in-swinging cross from Hemp. Just four minutes later Mead got her second with a fantastic solo goal. White also scored her second of the game to make it six with a flying tap-in after a pinpoint cross from Fran Kirby.
With the half-time score at 6-0, the match was already over, if it was boxing and Norway could throw in the towel they would have surely already done so.Much of the talk before the game was about how Norway’s front three of Ada Hegerberg, Guro Reiten and Caroline Graham Hansen could hurt England. However, in the first half, due to England’s dominance, they barely got a kick.
Norway was playing for pride in the second half and they held out until the 65th minute when substitute Alessia Russo turned in a Lucy Bronze ball into the box. Alex Greenwood hit the crossbar with a strike from outside the box in the 73rd minute. Norway’s frustrations were showing when Celin Bizet Ildhusoy was booked for a foul on Leah Williamson.
Jill Scott came on in the 80th minute for her 10th major tournament appearance. Mead completed her hat-trick with a dinked finish in the 81st minute after Kiera Walsh’s strike was initially saved by Guro Pettersen.
As the full-time whistle blew on England’s 8-0 victory jubilant celebrations followed by players and fans at the Amex.
Speaking to the BBC after the game hat-trick hero Mead said, “I can’t put it into words. I’m just loving being here, loving being part of this team and loving every minute.
“It’s an incredible feeling to feel how I do right now. I don’t think I even dreamt of this. I’m just so happy I got the goals to help the team. “I haven’t even thought about it [the Golden Boot]. I just want to get the goals to help us win. The girls need to enjoy this one. These are the moments we need to enjoy.”
The Lionesses take on Northern Ireland in their final group stage game at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton on Friday, kick-off at 20:00.
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