Julie Blakstad provided the assist for Norway’s winning goal as they got off to the perfect start in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory in Austria on Tuesday evening.
Our full-back sent in a lovely cross from the left from which Lisa Naaslund converted with a first time effort to put her nation ahead nine minutes from time at Datenpol Arena in Austria and that proved to be the difference as they went on to earn an important three points in the opening game of their qualifiers.
The 24-year-old started and completed the full match in the clash in alongside fellow Lilywhite Signe Gaupset for Norway in their clash in Group Four of League A.
Elsewhere, Lize Kop and the Netherlands began their qualifying campaign for next summer’s World Cup with a 2-2 draw in Poland.
The goalkeeper was named in the starting XI for her nation as they came from behind – following Ewa Pajor’s opener for Poland in the first half – to take a 2-1 lead just two minutes after the break at Polsat Plus Arena in Gdansk
However, they were left frustrated at the end when Paulina Tomasiak netted an equaliser with six minutes left on the clock, seeing the Netherlands earn a point in the opening game of Group Two of League A.
Meanwhile, it was a frustrating evening for Eveliina Summanen and Finland as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in their qualifying fixture.
It looked destined to be a goalless draw in Caldas de Vizela, Portugal, but two stoppage time goals from the home side earned them a victory in Group Three of League B. Our midfielder had the opportunity to cut the deficit in the seventh minute of stoppage time, but our midfielder was denied from the penalty spot late on.
Eve started and completed the full match for Finland, while Olga Ahtinen was an unused substitute.
Amanda Nilden, Matilda Vinberg and Hanna Wijk’s Sweden’s as they also picked up three points in the opening game of their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a 1-0 win over Italy. Our Swedes were unused substitutes.
Olivia Holdt was also an unused substitute for Denmark as they recorded a 3-1 victory over Serbia to get off to the perfect start in their qualifying campaign.
Earlier on Tuesday, in youth international action, young shot stopper Sophie Jackson earned a clean sheet on her return to the starting XI for England Under-20s.
Our Academy player started and completed the full match as the Young Lionesses defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in an international friendly in Spain.
Finally, Under-19s forward Eloise Summers-Mee came off the bench in the second half for Scotland Under-19s as they earned 2-1 win over Belgium in an international friendly this morning.
Having made her international debut on Saturday in a 1-1 draw with Belgium, Eloise completed just over 20 minutes for the Young Scots in their final game of this international camp.