England vs Norway LIVE: Euro 2022 result and reaction as Beth Mead nets hat-trick in record goal haul
The Lionesses’ group stage campaign continues as they host Norway in Brighton
England face their toughest test of the group stages tonight as they continue their Euro 2022 campaign against Norway at the Amex Stadium in Brighton. This crucial fixture could decide who finishes top of Group A after both teams won their opening fixtures.
The Lionesses won the first match of the tournament 1-0 against Austria last Wednesday, with Beth Mead scoring the only goal of the game in front of a record crowd of 68,871 at Old Trafford. It wasn’t the most convincing performance from Sarina Wiegman’s team who will know they need to improve if they hope to defeat Norway and move back to the top of their group.
Norway demolished Northern Ireland 4-1 in their opening fixture in Southampton and took the lead in the goal difference standings. They are a team full of talent including Lyon’s Ada Hegerberg, Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen and Chelsea’s Guro Reiten but their coach Martin Sjogren has stepped up the mind games by calling his team “underdogs” for the match.
Follow all the action from the Amex Stadium as the Lionesses host Norway:
England 2-0 Norway
18 mins: England have blown Norway away here. Two early goals from both chances on target have really settled the nerves and the Lionesses look confident in attack and defence.
Blakstad finds some space ahead of Bronze on Norway’s left side and the defender manages to swing in a cross but Millie Bright has control of her side of the penalty area and heads it out for a corner.
GOAL! England 2-0 Norway (Hemp, 15’)⚽️
15 mins: England have two!
Beth Mead makes a run in behind Norway’s left back and is found by a through ball from Lucy Bronze. Mead dribbles into the box, cuts inside of Maria Thorisdottir and slots a pass to the back post. Lauren Hemp arrives this time and backheels the ball over the line.
England’s celebrations are cut short by the offside flag going up but a check by VAR shows Hemp clearly onside and the goal stands.
England 1-0 Norway
14 mins: England have been the dominant side of the first quarter of an hour. Stanway’s penalty is their reward for high pressing and attacking play.
Chance! Stanway drives England up the pitch with a run down the inside right channel. She gives it to Beth Mead and continues her run into the box. Mead slips it back to her and Stanway fizzes one across the face of goal and Lauren Hemp just can’t reach it at the back post.
GOAL! England 1-0 Norway (Stanway, 12’)⚽️
12 mins: Ellen White doesn’t take penalties so the honour is given to Georgia Stanway. She blasts the spot kick into the top left corner and gives the Lionesses the lead.
Perfect start for England.
Penalty to England!
England 0-0 Norway
9 mins: Ellen White receives the ball inside the penalty area, spins away from Maria Thorisdottir and looks to break clear before being brought down by the Norwegian defender.
Huge chance for England to take the lead.
England 0-0 Norway
6 mins: Lucy Bronze carries the ball down the right side and passes it up to Beth Mead. Mead attempts to feed it across to Stanway who can’t bring it under control before Blakstad nicks it off her.
Norway look to push forward but Bronze recovers the ball for England and sends it into space over to the right side of the box. Stanway sprints up to collect it but she’s under pressure from Ingrid Systad Engen and sends her cross out of play.
England 0-0 Norway
3 mins: It’s been a hectic start with neither team allowing the other to have time on the ball. Julie Blakstad swings a cross into the England box and looks to pick out Ada Hegerberg but the ball gets cleared out to Georgia Stanway.
She brings it under control and spins into midfield before charging off on a counter-attack. Stanway doesn’t get far before she’s brought down in her own half.
Kick off: England 0-0 Norway
Norway get the match started at the Amex Stadium and send the ball long where Leah Williamson brings it under control on her chest and guides it away from the attacking players sweeping forward.
It’s another sell out crowd and the atmosphere is brilliant.
Euro 2022: England vs Norway
Here come the players. It’s another packed house as Leah Williamson leads out the Lionesses. Norway sit top of Group A but only on goal difference ahead of England.
The winner of tonight’s game will go top and keep the lead until the final matchday of the group stages. If England win they will progress to the knockout stages.
Big stakes tonight.
Euro 2022: Key threats for England and Norway
Beth Mead who netted the only goal of the game last time out versus Austria, has been directly involved in 25 goals for England under Sarina Wiegman (15 goals, 10 assists), seven more than any other player in this period.
Norway’s Guro Reiten scored and assisted in their 4-1 win over Northern Ireland and created the most chances of any player in Group A (5).
Reiten has been directly involved in 10 goals in seven games in 2022 Euros qualifying and the finals combined (5 goals, 5 assists).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments