The host nation England kicked off the recorded meeting against Norway. After just ten minutes of play, Ellen White went down easily after a duel with Norwegian Maria Thorisdottir and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Bayern Munich forward Georgia Stanway was confident and placed 1-0 for the home team in Brighton.
2-0 would not delay. Just a few minutes later, Beth Mead found Lauren Hemp who pushed the ball in from close range.
A short while later, the unfortunate bird Maria Thorisdottir would be in the news again. The Manchester United defense really struggled with the ball, Ellen White pushed with her shoulder, ran away and put it 3-0.
Mead offered a delicious solo meal
By then it had not even been half an hour and the Norwegians looked cut. England continued to pump and create position after position. White was close to expanding again but was blocked by Guro Pettersen in the Norway goal.
In the 34th minute it came 4-0. Manchester City striker Lauren Hemp hit a perfect post that Beth Mead buttoned in effortlessly.
Three minutes later, the Arsenal striker also scored his second goal of the match. Mead ran slalom in the Norwegian penalty area and rolled comfortably 5-0 to the home team.
Was down by six goals at halftime
In the 40th minute it also fell 6-0. The big star Fran Kirby elegantly played Ellen White to her second goal. White slipped the ball into an empty cage after Kirby’s precise pass.
When the half-time signal finally sounded, it probably came as a relief for the Norwegians when the 0-6 deficit was at the bottom.
After just over an hour of play, the second half’s first goal came from full-back star Lucy Bronze whipped in a post to incoming Manchester United striker Alessia Russo who nodded in 7-0.
Completed his hat trick
Ten minutes later, another jumper, Alex Greenwood, dotted the crossbar. Then Norway’s Swedish national team captain Martin Sjögren got enough and was picked by offensive star duo Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) – Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona).
With ten minutes left of regular time, Beth Mead would complete her hat trick. Guro Pettersen returned Keira Walsh’s heavy shots and Mead could easily poke in 8-0, which was also the end result.
For Norway, a decisive match against Austria awaits next on which team will take the last quarter-final place. England face already sawn off Northern Ireland in the final group stage.