Northern Ireland went down 4-1 to Norway at St.Mary’s Stadium in UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, after conceding two early goals.
The Irish were two down in a dozen minutes, Julia Blakstad given space to advance and fire past Jackie Burns, before Frida Maanum won possession and exchanged passes with Ada Hegerberg before finding the net.
Burns pushed a Maanum strike round the upright, Abbie Magee made a crucial block but when handball was given against Nadene Caldwell, Caroline Graham Hansen converted the resulting penalty.
Northern Ireland pulled one back just after the break from a Demi Vance corner, Rachel Furness lofting the ball to the back post where 37-year-old Julie Nelson nodded home to become the oldest scorer at a Euros.
Lauren Wade shot straight at Norwegian keeper Guro Pettersen as Northern Ireland enjoyed a rare spell of possession.
Norway scored their fourth thanks to a sublime free-kick, Guro Reiten curling the ball around the wall into the bottom corner.
