To think this was supposed to be England’s most exacting match of the group stage. It did say a lot about the side’s credentials in this tournament, although not in the way many anticipated. Sarina Wiegman’s side instead offered the kind of night everyone around this team has long waited for. This 8-0 rout of Norway was beyond “a performance of champions”, and one of those demolitions that the real top-tier teams in these competitions are so capable of offering.
It was a great occasion for England, a superb performance, and a particularly satisfying evening for Beth Mead. She plundered a hat-trick, making it look like a trick of the mind that she was left out of the Olympics squad two years ago.
