It was a poor start to the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup for Nigeria’s Super Falcons as former champions Norway, brushed past the African champions after three first half goals in just the fourth game of the competition. Guro Reiten, Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland and an own goal from Osinachi Ohale ensured Thomas Dennerby’s side lost the first available 3 points in the first round of group A games.
It was the second FIFA Women World Cup meeting between the Super Falcons and Norway. The first, an 8-0 defeat against Norway. It also was the fourth overall meeting between both sides. Norway having won all three previous meetings
Norway opened the scoring as Graham Hansen and Reiten played a one-two from a short corner as the latter found space inside the box and unleashed a left-footed shot, it hit Ebi en route and got deflected past Oluehi in-goal and into the back of the net.
The trio of Oshoala, Ordega and Oparanozie tried to claw Nigeria back into the game with various dangerous counter attacks but it would not be the Falcons’ night as Norway doubled their lead just few minutes after the half hour.
Lisa-Marie Utland made sure not to make her run too early as she waited for the pass in from Reiten and upon receiving it, hammered her shot well above Oluehi and into the back of the net leaving the Nigerian keeper helpless.
Three minutes later, it was 3-0. Graham Hansen headed the ball forward to Herlovsen on the run who whipped a cross towards Utland. Osinachi Ohale redirected it, but into the back of Nigeria’s net.
Nigeria had consecutive chances just few minutes before halftime after series of long-balls down the wing, a cross the ball into the box but they were all blocked before any truly trouble Ingrid Hjelmseth in the Norwegian goal.
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