Event of the Day: Norway versus England
Our event of the day is the Women’s World Cup quarter-final between Norway and England at Stade Océane in Le Havre. Both teams have played outstanding football in the tournament so far and will be eager to progress to the semifinals. These teams will test each other’s limits in what is sure to be one of the most exciting matches of the World Cup so far. Norway reached their first World Cup quarter-final since 2007 with a penalty shootout victory over Australia. Norway took the lead through a goal from Isabell Herlovsen in the 31st minute before Australia finally broke the stalwart Norwegian defence and equalised via an Elise Kellond-Knight corner that curled into the net seven minutes from the end of regular time. The teams remained deadlocked through extra time, taking the game to penalties. After Caroline Graham Hansen scored the opening penalty for the Norwegians, Australian superstar Sam Kerr approached the spot. Despite having five goals in the tournament, Kerr’s attempt sailed over the crossbar and into the crowd. Norway went on to win the shootout 4-1. The reigning Algarve Cup champions have proven themselves to be one of the more tenacious European sides in this edition of the World Cup and will give England a run for their money. In their Round of 16 match, England made short work of Cameroon, ensuring that they have made at least the quarterfinals in every edition of the World Cup they had played in. Ellen White’s goal just before half-time marked her fourth of the tournament, making her the joint second-highest scorer in the tournament.
However, Cameroon did expose England’s weakness on the wing as they were able to feed a ball into the box for a goal that was subsequently disallowed on a VAR review. England have been one of the flashiest and fiercest sides in this World Cup. They have scored eight goals and conceded one and show a fast, precise brand of football that the traditional powerhouses of women’s soccer should be worried about. This match will see a number of interesting matchups. The leader of England’s defence, Lucy Bronze, will have to deal with the likes of Herlovsen and Hansen playing across the field. In the Norwegian goal, Ingrid Hjelmseth will have to contend with a team that is much less averse to shooting that some of Norway’s previous opponents. Norway and England have met twice in the World Cup before. In 1995, Norway beat England 2-0 in a group stage match. Norway went onto win the 1995 tournament while England exited in the quarterfinals. They met again in 2015, with England knocking Norway out of the competition at the Round of 16 stage. These are two teams eager to prove just what they can do on the world stage and they will prove quite a challenge to the other. This is a match you won’t want to miss.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Cricket World Cup, where the West Indies face India at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. India can all but assure their place in the semifinals with victory while West Indies will look to play spoiler against one of the tournament favourites. In the Copa América, the knockout stage begins with Brazil facing Paraguay at the Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre. The semifinals of the U21 European Championships take place in Italy, with Spain facing France in Reggio Emilia and Germany taking on Romania in Bologna. There is a Yorkshire derby in Super League as Hull Kingston Rovers take on Hull FC at KCOM Craven Park. On the PGA Tour, the Rocket Mortgage Classic begins at the Detroit Golf Club in Michigan. In the AFL, the Greater Western Sydney Giants clash with Essendon at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by England Women; Norway Women