Norway women beat Australia on penalties

NORWAY’S women footballers have beaten Australia by 4 goals to 1 and go through to the Quarter Finals – but the scoreline doesn’t give an accurate reflection of what an even-handed match this was.

Norway took the lead in the first half, with Australia levelling the score in the second half. The game remained 1-1 after extra time. As both teams battled for that last minute goal that could have brought victory, nerves came to the fore with several very near misses and some spectacular saves keeping the score level.

Even a last minute substitution could not save the deadlock – though many assumed Amy Harrison replaced Ellie Carpenter at 122 minutes as Australia were planning for penalties, not trying to secure a last minute win.

Norway began the penalty shoot-out. Caroline Graham Hansen stepped forward – and calmly powered the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net. Australia came next: with an extraordinarily wide miss of the goal. 1-0 to Norway. A second Norway goal was followed by a spectacular save from the Norwegian goalie: Hjelmseth dived to her right, and her stretching hand knocked the ball away.

Norway were on a roll: the ball was in the net before the keeper had a chance to move towards it. Was that going to be it? No: Stephanie Catley fired a shot into the net, and Australia were creeping back. Would they get there? Not a chance: Ingrid Engen kept her nerves under control, and Norway were through.

It was a thrilling match and a master class in taking penalties. England meet Cameroon tomorrow, Sunday, at 4.30pm: the winner will take on a Norway team which must be tired, but newly confident.

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