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Alex Mott·9 April 2024
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Alex Mott·9 April 2024
It’s matchday two of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualification campaign with big games everywhere you look.
Here’s what happened.
Scorers: Beerensteyn 6′
Lineth Beerensteyn was the difference as her audacious strike was enough to see Netherlands beat Norway 1-0.
With Finland beating Italy earlier, Group A1 was wide open with Netherlands hoping to win their first game of the campaign and see all four teams on three points.
With that knowledge the Oranje flew out of the blocks with Lineth Beerensteyn scoring after only six minutes to give the hosts a lead.
Norway didn’t know what had hit them and after the break the Netherlands really should have doubled their lead to take the game away from the Scandinavians.
This time though, Beerensteyn fired agonisingly wide when it looked easier to score.
Guru Reiten had a chance to equalise for Norway in the dying moments but the Chelsea striker couldn’t find the target as the hosts claimed all three points.
Scorers:
England impressed from start to finish as they beat Ireland 2-0 in Dublin.
Almost a year to the day since her last appearance for England, Leah Williamson started in defence as the Three Lions looked to claim their first win of the campaign.
Sarina Wiegman’s side couldn’t have got off to a better start as Lauren James latched on to a cushioned header from Lucy Bronze and fired home.
England then doubled their lead soon after as Alex Greenwood converted from the penalty spot.
It could have been even better for Greenwood on the half hour mark, but the Manchester City missed her second penalty of the match.
Scorers: Renard 80′
France took charge of their group as Wendie Renard used all her experience to give the visitors a win in Sweden.
In what’s been deemed the Group of Death alongside England and Ireland, these two sides needed a result to go clear in A3.
But it was an uneventful first half with neither creating too many chances of note.
Les Blues flew out of the blocks after the break though with Selma Bacha having two great efforts saved.
But the visitors did get their goal with 10 minutes to go as captain Wendie Renard struck her 38th for her country.
Scorers: Mendez 58′, Hermoso 62′, Caldentey 70′; Sonntagova 54′
Despite a second half scare, Spain netted three times to earn a commanding win over Czech Republic.
La Roja’s new 3-4-3 formation just was not working in the first half here in Burgos with Czech Republic knocking on the door with a number of chances.
And the Eastern European side eventually did take a deserved lead on 56 minutes as Eliska Sonntagova netted with a brilliant long-range effort.
But Spain responded immediately as Maria Mendez equalised before Jenni Hermoso bagged a second just minutes later.
The hosts then got their third with 20 minutes to go as Mariona Caldentey finished well.
Scorers: Costa (PEN) 48′, Capeta 78′
Two second half goals saw Portugal overcome minnow Malta with a 2-0 win.
The Seleçao travelled to Valetta looking to claim their second win in qualification Group B3.
And it took until the second half for the visitors to open the scoring as Carole Costa scored her first for her country from the penalty spot.
Portugal then secured the three points with 12 minutes to go as Ana Capeta finished with aplomb.
Scorers: Schüller 4′ 35′, Oberdorf 45+3′; Jónsdottir 24′
Lea SchĂĽller as at her brilliant best as a first half double helped Germany beat Iceland 3-1.
It took the hosts just four minutes to take the lead as SchĂĽller showed her class with a neat finish.
Midway through the first half however, Iceland equalised as Sveindis JĂłnsdottir continued her fine run of form in front of goal with another great strike.
SchĂĽller was at her brilliant best just a few minutes later however as she scored a second to re-take the lead.
And then just seconds before the break, Lena Oberdorf netted to take the game away from Iceland.
And that was how it stayed as Germany maintained their 100 per cent start to qualifying.
Scorers: Rantala 48′, Summanen 75′; Guigliemo 40′
A stunning second half from Finland saw them best Italy 2-1
The Azzurri came into this clash having won their group opener against Netherlands last time out.
And although Finland put up a fight in the first half, with five minutes remaining Lucia Di Guigliemo netted to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Immediately after the break though, the hosts equalised as Leicester striker Jutta Rantala found the back of the net.
The Scandinavian side were full in charge now and eventually completed a brilliant turnaround with 15 minutes to go as Eveliina Summanen scored.
The third and fourth matchdays will take place on May 31 and June 4.
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