Northern Ireland had a difficult start to their first major tournament as they were emphatically beaten by Norway in their Group A match in Southampton. Martin Sjögren’s team soared to the top of the group on goal difference, knocking England off top spot following their 1-0 win over Austria on Wednesday.
“It was a relief after the last Euros, it was a disaster for us. We didn’t even score a goal [in 2017],” player of the match Caroline Graham Hansen said. “To be able to bounce back and get a good start, it was important for everyone. I think everyone who was there in 2017 felt the relief when we scored the first goal.” Graham Hansen showed that Northern Ireland were in for a tough evening in the early stages. She beat multiple defenders to run half the pitch and feed Guro Reiten, whose attempt went over the bar. The chances just kept coming with shots from Frida Maanum and Ada Hegerberg.
