Soccer

Alessia Russo nets brace as five-star England brush aside Northern Ireland

Austria knock out Norway thanks to 1-0 win and set up quarter-final clash with Germany

Alessia Russo scores England's fourth goal during the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 Group A match against Northern Ireland at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton. Photograph: Vince Mignott/EPA
Alessia Russo scores England's fourth goal during the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 Group A match against Northern Ireland at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton. Photograph: Vince Mignott/EPA
Fri Jul 15 2022 - 22:44

Northern Ireland 0 England 5

Alessia Russo struck twice as England maintained their flawless start to Euro 2022 with a commanding 5-0 win over Northern Ireland at St Mary’s.

The hosts have now scored 14 times without reply in their three Group A matches to finish in top spot and will face the runners-up from Group B – either Spain or Denmark – in the quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland started defensively looking to contain already-qualified England, and managed to keep them at bay until the 40th minute when Fran Kirby’s lofted curled strike broke the deadlock.

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Beth Mead quickly doubled the host nation’s advantage with her fourth goal of the tournament just before half-time before an impressive England eased further clear after the break in front of 30,785 fans in Southampton.

Russo, having replaced Ellen White at half-time, epitomised the impact substitute role, finding the net twice in quick succession soon after the restart.

England’s fifth and final goal came in unfortunate fashion for Northern Ireland, Kelsie Burrows slicing the ball over goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns and into her own net.

Austria 1 Norway 0

Nicole Billa dumped twice-champions Norway out of Euro 2022 as Austria booked a quarter-final clash with Germany.

Billa’s first-half header secured a 1-0 win – the Austrians’ first over the Norwegians – at the Amex Stadium on a night when a draw would have been enough to clinch the runners-up spot in Group A.

It was no more than they deserved as Norway failed to bounce back from their 8-0 mauling by England, and they might have lost even more heavily had it not been for the efforts of goalkeeper Guro Pettersen.