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Footballers of Norway celebrate their 4-1 victory over North Ireland after their Women's Euro 2022 match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Norway eased to a 4-1 win over out-classed Northern Ireland in their Women's Euro 2022 match on Thursday.
Julie Blakstad and Frida Maanum gave Norway the perfect start with goals inside the first 13 minutes in Southampton.
Caroline Graham Hansen's penalty put the two-time European champions on course to ruin Northern Ireland major women's tournament debut.
L-R: Ingrid Syrstad Engen of Norway, Rachel Furness of Northern Ireland, and Referee Lina Lehtovaara during the Women's Euro 2022 match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Julie Nelson, Northern Ireland's most-capped female player, gave the competition's lowest-ranked nation brief hope of an unlikely comeback just after the interval.
But Guro Reiten's free-kick sealed a convincing success for Martin Sjogren's side, who moved level on three points with hosts England at the top of Group A.
Frida Maanum of Norway makes a heart shape with her hands after scoring a goal during the Women's Euro 2022 match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Following Wednesday's Old Trafford attendance of 68,871 for England's win over Austria, a more modest crowd of 9,146 turned out at St Mary's.
Norway, winners of this competition in 1987 and 1993, twice thrashed their opponents 6-0 in qualifying and swiftly took control again.
Manchester City midfielder Blakstad claimed the 10th-minute opener, beating goalkeeper Jackie Burns at her near post with a low, left-footed drive.
Reserve goalkeeper Becky Flaherty (R) hugs teammate Jacqueline Burns of Northern Ireland after their Women's Euro 2022 match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Arsenal's Maanum doubled the advantage three minutes later.
She dispossessed Chloe McCarron just outside the Northern Ireland area and was left with a simple finish into an unguarded net after receiving the ball back from Ada Hegerberg.
Northern Ireland contributed to their own downfall as the game effectively ended as a contest in the 31st minute.
Guro Bergsvand of Norway signs an autograph after the Women's Euro 2022 match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened after Nadene Caldwell inexplicably handled the ball in her own box following a corner, allowing impressive Barcelona star Hansen to dispatch the spot-kick.
Four minutes into the second half, Rachel Furness smashed the ball back across the box after Norway made a mess of clearing a corner and 37-year-old center-back Nelson nodded over the line.
Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway wins the Player of the Match award after the Women's Euro 2022 match between Norway and Northern Ireland at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Norway quickly ended any hopes of a shock fightback as Chelsea winger Reiten restored the three-goal advantage, catching out Burns with a low free-kick.
Northern Ireland will seek to bounce back on Monday when Austria visit St Mary's in Southampton, while Norway travel along the south coast for a showdown with England in Brighton.
Read more:
Record crowd sees England beat Austria at Women's Euro 2022 opener
