Eight of our players have made it through to quarter-finals of Euro 2022 after a thrilling weekend of action across England.
There was delight for Austria's Manu Zinsberger and Laura Wienroither in Brighton on Friday night as they secured a 1-0 win over Norway to book their place in the knockout stages. Nicole Billa’s headed finish on 37 minutes proved the difference on the night, with both Manu and Laura playing the full 90 minutes.
Sadly this result was the final act in the competition for Frida Maanum, who started for Norway and played 86 minutes before being withdrawn, as the Norwegians bowed out as the third-placed team in Group A.
England were also in action on Friday night, this time against Northern Ireland in Southampton. With their place in the quarter-finals already secured, the Lionesses swept to a 5-0 win to wrap up top spot courtesy of goals from Fran Kirby a brace from Alessia Russo, a Kelsie Burrows own-goal and Beth Mead's fifth of the tournament to put her top of the Golden Boot standings.
Both Mead and captain Leah Williamson played the full 90 minutes for England, with Lotte Wubben-Moy (back in the squad after recovering from COVID-19) and Nikita Parris unused substitutes.
Group C reached its conclusion on Sunday evening, with Stina Blackstenius leading Sweden to a comfortable 5-0 win over Portugal at Leigh Sports Village.
The striker twice had the ball in the net over the course of the game only for VAR to rule them out for offside, but Stina’s efforts were rewarded in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when she curled home a fine strike from the edge of the box to secure top spot in the group and a place in the last eight.
There was no Vivianne Miedema for the Netherlands as they took on Switzerland at Bramall Lane in the other game in Group C, with the Dutch striker still out with COVID-19, but we still had representation in the form of Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz for the Swiss.
Sadly for the duo, the Netherlands ran out 4-1 winners – all five goals coming in the second half – to condemn Switzerland to a group-stage exit, and ensure the Dutch qualify for the quarter-finals as Group C runners-up.
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