Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland: Player ratings as favourites secure straightforward win
From St Mary's Stadium - Norway kicked off their Women's Euro 2022 campaign with a win, breezing to a 4-1 victory over minnows Northern Ireland on the south coast.
The heavy favourites wasted no time exerting their dominance, racing into a three-goal lead inside 30 minutes. Northern Ireland then gave them a scare with a Julie Nelson header, but Guro Reiten soon had the 'home side' back in control and Norway then coasted to the full-time whistle.
It took less than 10 minutes for Norway to take the lead. Two WSL players combined with Reiten finding Julie Blakstad well-timed overlap and the Man City wide-woman drilled her effort beyond the reach of Jackie Burns.
Thirteen minutes later another England-based player got on the scoresheet for Norway. Northern Ireland midfielder Chloe McCarron was harried into mistake and Ada Hegerberg - playing in her first tournament game since the 2017 Euros - pounced, teeing up Frida Maanum for the simplest of finishes.
Northern Ireland then rallied for a brief moment with the impressive Rachel Furness' first-time pass nearly finding the run of Lauren Wade following an error from Maria Thorisdottir.
On the half-hour mark Norway were then awarded a penalty for handball following a VAR check. Nadene Caldwell was the guilty party and Caroline Graham Hansen made no mistake from the spot, despite Burns getting a hand to it.
Northern Ireland would have the final chance of the opening period with Simone Magill crashing an effort the wrong side of the near post.
Much to the delight of their colourful travelling support, Kenny Shiels' side cut the deficit to two goals early in the second period. Norway were indecisive in clearing a corner, which allowed Furness to cross to Nelson who headed home despite the best efforts of a scrambling Guro Pettersen.
Norway soon restored their three-goal advantage though, with Reiten curling home a waist-high free kick from just outside the box.
The dominant favourites thought they had a fifth just over 20 minute from time, but Hegerberg's celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
The tempo of the game was then removed by a flurry of substitutions by both sides with Norway able to keep their opponents at arm's length until the final whistle.
The result moves Norway top of Group A ahead of England, who they face in Brighton on Monday. Meanwhile, Austria - who also lost their opening game - are next up for Northern Ireland.
Here are your player ratings from the second game of Euro 2022.
1. Norway
Guro Pettersen (GK) - 5/10 - Very little to do. Could not quite prevent Nelson's header sneaking in.
Anja Sonstevold (RB) - 6/10 - Always looked to give Norway width by pushing high. Did not have quite as much success in the final third as Blakstad.
Maren Mjelde (CB) - 6/10 - Looked more assured than her defensive partner, though she was not tested all that much.
Maria Thorisdottir (CB) - 5/10 - A few shaky moments. Not what you expect really.
Julie Blakstad (LB) - 7/10 - Has the potential to become one of the best left-backs around, as her well-taken first goal showed. Should have done better from the corner that led to her opponents' goal.
Frida Maanum (CM) - 8/10 - A dominating presence in midfield. She strangled her opposition for the most part and even scored.
Ingrid Syrstad Engen (CM) - 6/10 - Nothing flashy but kept the ball moving when Norway were building their attacks.
Amalie Eikeland (RW) - 6/10 - The quietest of the Norway front four. Still caused problems at times.
Caroline Graham Hansen (AM) - 8/10 - The best player on the pitch by some distance in the first half. She finds space so easily and could be on for player of the tournament if Norway go deep into the competition.
Guro Reiten (LW) - 8/10 - Her and Blakstad wreaked havoc down the left all game. Scored the tournament's first free kick.
Ada Hegerberg (ST) - 6/10 - Grabbed an early assist but she was not quite at her best. Lacked that killer edge in the final third and was culpable in Northern Ireland's goal.
SUB: Vilde Boe Risa - 6/10
SUB: Karina Saevik - 6/10
SUB: Tuva Hansen - 6/10
SUB: Guro Bergsvand - N/A
SUB: Anna Joesendal - N/A
2. Northern Ireland
Jackie Burns (GK) - 6/10 - Made a couple of decent stops and got a hand to the penalty. Will be busy in the next two games too.
Abbie Magee (RWB) - 6/10 - Chipped in with a decisive block to keep the scores at 2-0. A couple of noteworthy moments on the counter.
Kelsie Burrows (CB) - 5/10 - Struggled with Norway's fluid movement, but did not look out of her depth.
Julie Nelson (CB) - 7/10 - Made a goal-saving block to deny Hegerberg early on. Kept plugging away and raised the roof with her powerful header.
Sarah McFadden (CB) - 5/10 - Probably her side's best distributor from defence, though even she was guilty of sloppy passing.
Demi Vance (LWB) - 6/10 - Full of running and even looked like threatening in the final third.
Chloe McCarron (CM) - 5/10 - Unfortunately dispossessed in the lead-up to the opener. Showed some good moments of composure on the ball thereafter.
Nadene Caldwell (CM) - 5/10 - Huffed and puffed but was ultimately outclassed by her counterparts in the Norway midfield.
Lauren Wade (RW) - 5/10 - Deserves credit for her brave dribbling. She looked a threat with her runs in behind and cuts onto her let peg. Faded a bit.
Rachel Furness (ST ) - 7/10 - Unsurprisingly her side's brightest light. Dropped deep to spray passes, chased lost causes and led her side valiantly.
Simone Magill (LW) - 5/10 - Had a few moments here and there but nothing quite broke for her.
SUB: Marissa Callaghan (CM) - 6/10 - Good to see the captain get some minutes following her injury struggles.
SUB: Rebecca Holloway - 6/10 - Did fine after coming on.
SUB: Kirsty McGuinness - 6/10 - The first of the two McGuinness sisters to see minutes at the tournament.
SUB: Caitlin McGuinness - N/A - Joined her sister on the field just before the end.
SUB: Emily Wilson - N/A