“It was a relief after the last Euro, it was a disaster for us. We didn’t even score a goal [in 2017]” said player of the match Caroline Graham Hansen after the match. “To be able to bounce back and get off to a good start was important for everyone. I think everyone who was there in 2017 felt the relief when we scored the first goal.” Graham Hansen indicated that Northern Ireland were in for a difficult night in the early stages. He beat several defenders to run into the half-field and feed Guro Reiten, whose effort went over the bar. The chances kept coming with shots from Frida Maanum and Ada Heggerberg. Northern Ireland needed a defensive bulwark to try and grab a point, but it wasn’t long before Norway scored. In the tenth minute the ball worked well for Julie Blakstad, who cut it into the bottom left corner. Northern Ireland tried to hit back quickly but Rachel Ferns’ long range effort was awful and the team’s night went from bad to worse. A defensive horror show allowed Maanum to pounce. Goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns played a short ball to Chloe McCarron, but it came into Hegerberg’s path. The Lyon forward flicked a pass to Arsenal’s Maanum to double their lead. Maanum continued to be lively with another thunderous strike that went just wide and won a corner. Heggerberg went close with a header from it, but it wasn’t long before he made his third. VAR was used as Nadene Caldwell appeared to be handling while defending a corner. Referee Lina Lehtovaara awarded a penalty after review and Graham Hansen made no mistake to put Norway 3-0 up. Northern Ireland manager Kenny Sills disagreed with the call and said in his post-match press conference: “The Scandinavian referee, who was refereeing a game involving a Scandinavian team, gave a penalty. I’m not saying for one minute it was because he was the ref, I’m just saying those stats were there. I don’t think it’s appropriate [for a Finnish referee to take charge of a Norway match]. I don’t blame her for the loss, but I don’t think we should talk too much about it because that’s a side event.” Simone Magill had Northern Ireland’s best chance of the half but her unhurried long shot hit the boards. The loudest roar of the night came just after the break when Norway failed to clear and Julie Nelson headed towards goal. Goalkeeper Guro Pettersen was unable to stop the ball rolling over the line to give Shiels’ side their first goal at a major tournament. Northern Ireland’s Julie Nelson (left) pulls a goal back early in the second half. Photo: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock Another defensive error for Northern Ireland almost canceled out their good work, but Abbie Magee made an impressive clearance off the line. However, Norway were undaunted by the opposition and Ryten scored a free kick. The Chelsea playmaker has been scoring wonder goals for her club all season, so this cracker wouldn’t come as a surprise to WSL fans. The next action saw Heggerberg appeal for a penalty as Magee tackled her to the floor, but nothing was given. The Champions League’s top scorer thought she finally had her goal in the 68th minute as she pounced on Ryten’s pass but it was disallowed. Subscribe to our new women’s soccer newsletter. Illustration: Guardian Design In heartbreaking scenes Magill, who recently signed for Aston Villa, limped away in tears. A horrible end to her campaign and worrying for the rest of Northern Ireland’s campaign. Sills revealed after the match that he was worried about Magill, who he said would not feature in their next game against Austria, adding: “It’s her knee. I’m a football coach, not a doctor, but it doesn’t sound too good.” There was cause for concern for Hegerberg, too, as captain Sarah McFadden cut her down, but she was quick to her feet. Burns managed to save Northern Ireland further blushes with three big saves in the closing stages. But it was Norway’s night and they have run a gauntlet in this tournament. Sarina Wiegman’s side will have a battle on their hands when they face them on Monday.
