ENGLAND capped off their Euro 2022 group stage with an emphatic 5-0 win over Northern Ireland.
Kelsie Burrows’ freakish own goal, Beth Mead’s tidy finish and two fantastic strikes from Alessia Russo got the job done for the Lionesses in Southampton.
Which meant that Sarina Wiegman’s side maintained their 100% win record and topped Group A with NO goals conceded.
- RESULT: Northern Ireland 0-5 England
- TV/Live stream: BBC
- Northern Ireland XI: Burns; Mckenna, Nelson, Robson, Vance; Rafferty, Callaghan, Furness, Holloway; Wade, McGuinness
- England XI: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Stanway, Walsh; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; White
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That’s all from St Mary’s Stadium
England march through to the quarter-finals with another record-breaking win over Northern Ireland.
Their next opponents will be determined when Denmark take on Spain tomorrow evening.
The next round will kick off next Wednesday.
But until then, thank you for reading and goodnight!
Final Group A standings
England and Austria qualify for the quarter-finals!
Credit: Twitter.com/@WEURO2022 Alessia Russo awarded player of the match
The striker came off the bench at half time to score a brace.
Credit: Getty
Arjan Veurink reacts
When speaking to BBC Sport, Veurink said:
“We spoke about lots of potential scenarios and this [Covid] was one of them – my compliments go to the staff and players group because we reacted really well.
“We plan for scenarios and the world we are living in it could happen – we spoke about it and we’re well prepared. She’s managing the staff and players brilliantly.
“The first 30 minutes to be fair to Northern Ireland they did well – we didn’t use the right spaces to play in and that’s one of the things we tried to put some attention on – we did really well in the first part of the second half and sometimes when they are defending in a low block it is really difficult.”
When asked if Wiegman will return in time for the quarter-final, he said:
“We have to see – we have to manage it day by day, hopefully she is back in business as soon as possible.”
Credit: Getty Marissa Callaghan reacts
When speaking to BBC Sport, the Northern Ireland captain said:
“For the players the legacy is that we believed we could compete in this tournament, it was a far cry for us four or five years ago we never thought we would make it and I felt we played really well at times against top sides and players.
“We have to believe that we can challenge the top sides.
“There’s a massive gulf – we’ll go back on Monday and it will be a big wake up call, we’ve been full-time since January together but soon we’ll go back to our normal jobs and lives and we have to try to keep the momentum.
“We have to keep investing in women’s football – the Irish FA, our leagues we have to make them better. I hope that we can get more sponsorship and push on because we are capable of doing that and playing more in these big tournaments.
“At times in each of the games we’ve really battled and stood shoulder to shoulder with top players and sides, in the past playing England we created no chances but today we went for it.
“Unfortunately we didn’t score any but we did have chances and we have to take something from that – the gulf is massive and when they come on in the second half and change subs like for like it’s hard to compete.
“But I’m so proud every player left everything on the pitch and it’s been an amazing two weeks.
“The fans have been amazing – a thousand of our fans and we could hear them over everything. The girls have really appreciated them being here, they’ve been outstanding and so we’re thankful to them all.”
Credit: Getty Lionesses roar
England have won 100% of their group stage games for the second consecutive UEFA Women’s Euros.
They’re the first side to do it in back-to-back tournaments since Germany, who did so in 2001, 2005 and 2009. (Opta)
Fran Kirby reacts
Kirby told Radio Five Live:
“I’ve been wanting to get a goal through the tournament and have been getting myself in good positions bit it hasn’t come off for me.
“Luckily today I was in the right place and I got good contact on the ball and it was one of those you’re watching to see if it goes in so when it did I was just really happy to open my account.
“We spoke before the game about having a positive start, we felt our starts in the previous two games had been a bit slow so we wanted to make sure we got good possession of the ball and looked after it and I felt we did that even though the goal didn’t quite come.
“I’m just happy it went in and got the ball rolling and it just relaxed us and we could play the game a bit more.”
Credit: Getty Alessia Russo reacts
When speaking to BBC Sport, Russo said:
“I enjoy every game in an England shirt and to come on and score is great.
“I just got in the right place at the right time, and was able to put it in the back of the net.
“I should have finished that last one but we will move on to the next game.
“I’ve been watching Ian Wright’s goals this week and maybe that helped me.
“Obviously I want to play in every game for England but I know I have to be patient.”
Credit: Getty Full Time – Northern Ireland 0-5 England
It took a while for the Lionesses to get into the game, but as soon as Kirby broke the deadlock there was no stopping them.
England completely dominated possession while Northern Ireland struggled to get a touch on the ball.
Beth Mead continues to shine for England, while super-sub Alessia Russo has issued a statement of intent to Sarina Wiegman, suggesting that she should be in the starting XI for the quarter-final after scoring three goals in two appearances off the bench.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps has barely had to make a save over the last three games, demonstrating the strength of England’s defence.
England break another record
The Lionesses have scored 14 goals at the 2022 Women’s Euros, the most on record in the group stages at a single edition – previously 11 for Germany in 2001. (Opta)
Credit: Getty Full Time – Northern Ireland 0-5 England
England’s Euro2022 record:
- Three games
- Nine points
- 14 goals scored
- No goals conceded
Credit: AFP Full Time – Northern Ireland 0-5 England
England march on to the quarter-finals with maximum points from the group stages.
Credit: Getty 88. Northern Ireland 0-5 England
Kirby sends the ball out to Carter on the left, who crosses it into Russo.
The striker heads towards goal, but her effort flies over.
England go on the attack again as Toone sends the ball out to Mead.
The winger squares it to Russo, who fires over bar.
86. Northern Ireland 0-5 England
Two more changes for Northern Ireland.
Wilson replaces Callaghan.
Hutton replaces Nelson.
82. Northern Ireland 0-5 England
England have a free kick in a threatening position as Mead is brought down by McKenna.
Mead sends the ball in, but nobody can get a touch on it and Northern Ireland have a goal kick.
78. Northern Ireland 0-5 England
Another change for Northern Ireland.
Furness is replaced by Caldwell.
77. Northern Ireland 0-5 England
Mead sends the ball into the box.
Burrows sticks a leg out in an attempt to clear the danger, but the ball deflects up and over Burns and into the goal.
Credit: Reuters 76. GOOOAAAALLLLLL ENGLAND!!!!!
It’s an own goal as the ball deflects off Burrows and over Burns before bouncing into the goal.
74. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
Another change for England.
Bronze is replaced by Carter, who comes on to make her tournament debut.
70. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
England are looking very comfortable in possession.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland are struggling to get a touch on the ball.
66. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
Northern Ireland make their first two changes of the game.
Holloway is replaced by Magee.
Rafferty is replaced by Burrows.
61. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
Another substitution for England.
Hemp is replaced by Kelly.
60. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
Toone has another go at goal from distance, but this time her strike is sent over the bar.
Credit: Reuters 59. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
Chance for England as Toone strikes from distance, but her effort flies wide.
54. Northern Ireland 0-4 England
Toone receives the ball in midfield and sends it through to Russo, who sets herself up perfectly with an excellent first touch.
She finds herself one-on-one with Burns and slots the ball into the back of the net with great composure.
Credit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
