Group A: Quarterfinals! England against Norway in a frenzy

England’s soccer players, who are playing like unleashed, have booked a quarter-final ticket as the first European Championship team – and how! With the highest victory in the history of the European Championship, the hosts of the Euro played Norway, which was also highly regarded, literally against the wall with 8: 0 (6: 0).

On Monday evening (July 11th, 2022), the 28,847 spectators in the sold-out Brighton & Hove Community Stadium were eyewitnesses to an enthusiastic performance by the “Lionesses”, which should further fuel the euphoria about the big tournament favorites. Three-goal scorer Beth Mead was bubbling over the BBC microphone: “I can’t put it into words,” said the Arsenal striker. “I love being here, I love being part of this team and I love every minute.”

Coach Sarina Wiegman’s side have six points ahead of their last game against outsiders Northern Ireland, and are no longer in first place in Group A because England won both head-to-head meetings against pursuers Norway and Austria (3 each) who tied on points. Northern Ireland has already been eliminated after losing 2-0 to Austria.

For the German team this means that there is only one way to avoid these strong English women – and that is to win their group themselves.

Referee Hussein in focus: penalty awarded, offside revised

After a meager 1-0 win against Austria in the opening game, England seemed to have taken to heart their coach’s criticism of a lack of determination in the final passes. The Wiegman team launched an attacking press from the start, which overwhelmed the Norwegians. The focus was also on the German referee team. Riem Hussein unhesitatingly pointed to the penalty spot as Ellen White was pinned by Maria Thorsdottir. Georgia Stanway, who switched from Manchester City to Bayern Munich after the European Championship, turned ice cold (10th).

It was as if this action had stripped the last shackles of the tournament favorites. Attack after attack rolled over England’s speedy wingers towards the Norwegian goal. When Lauren Hemp made it 2-0 (15th) on a template from Beth Mead, referee Hussein initially denied the goal due to an alleged offside position, but had video referee Christian Dingert correct her.

White finds goalie again

Norway, who could hardly free themselves from this grip, were now on edge. Thorisdottir, the Manchester United centre-back who conceded the penalty, frittered away the ball against Ellen White, who ran alone towards goalkeeper Guto Pettersen and – finally, finally – showed her finishing skills again. England’s record goalscorer had not scored since May. Now she even followed up her 51st international goal to make it 3-0 (29th) with the 52nd to make it 6-0 (41st). Beth Mead was responsible for the two goals in between (34′, 38′).

England on course for an EM record before the break

Half a dozen goals at halftime – what a statement from the hosts! And that against Norway, who in Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyon), Caroline Graham Hansen (FC Barcelona) and Guro Reit (FC Chelsea) at least have players in their ranks who belong to the top personnel at top European clubs. Quite a few had bet on a close game and a draw before the game. Instead, the English women were already on course for a European Championship record at the break: they had clinched their highest victory in a Euro to date – in a 6-0 win against Scotland five years ago.

Joker Russo scores – Mead with fourth EM goal

After the break, White, Mead & Co. understandably took it easy. While La Ola rolled through the stadium and “Football’s coming home” chants rang out, Wiegman set about conserving the strength of her top performers. Among other things, she replaced White and key player Fran Kirby, who had been weakened by Corona before the EM.

But the jokers also wanted to add themselves to the top scorer list. Substitute Alessia Russo headed in a Lucy Bronze cross to make it 7-0 (66′). Alex Greenwood hit the crossbar (74th). Mead scored her fourth tournament goal with the 8:0 (81st) and thus took the lead in the top scorer list ahead of Grace Geyoro from France (3rd).

Hegerberg & Co. frustrated before the group final

Had England used their chances more consistently in the second half, the game could have ended in double figures. But the humiliation for the Norwegians was big enough. As if in shock, they endured everything, no one went ahead, no one spoke up. Hegerberg, a day after her 27th birthday, left the field a quarter of an hour before the end in frustration, as did Graham Hansen. Coach Martin Sjøgren will have to do a lot of work to set up the Kvinnerlandslag for the group final on Friday (15.07.2022) against the Austrians, who are tied on points, so that they still reach the knockout round – because of the much worse goal difference, the Norwegians need a win.