Watch: Graham Hansen double helps Norway beat Northern Ireland

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Inver Park

Norway all but ended Northern Ireland's dream of qualifying for back-to-back European Championships with a 4-0 win in the first leg of their play-off at Inver Park.

Caroline Graham Hansen starred for the visitors, who defeated Albania 14-0 in their play-off first round and last failed to qualify for a Euros in 1984.

The Barcelona playmaker opened the scoring in the seventh minute when she slotted home from close range.

Tuva Hansen drilled in a second from outside the area in the 14th minute, before Graham Hansen grabbed her second with a neat finish on 26 minutes.

Tanya Oxtoby's side settled after the restart and improved, but Norway added a fourth in the 67th minute when Guro Bergsvand poked home after a scramble in the area.

While Oxtoby will take heart from a much-improved second-half performance as Northern Ireland put on some late pressure, the damage was ultimately done in the first half by Norway.

The second leg takes place in Oslo on Tuesday, and Northern Ireland's young side will have to quickly regroup to stop the wounds becoming much deeper.

Graham Hansen shows class

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Caroline Graham Hansen (second from right) showed her class at Inver Park

Norway had won the last six meetings between the sides - including a 4-1 win at Euro 2022 in Northern Ireland's first match at a major tournament.

With that in mind, the hosts were happy to adopt the underdog tag and captain Simone Magill had called on her side to channel the spirit of 2011, when Northern Ireland last stunned the Norwegians.

However, Norway - managed by former Wales boss Gemma Grainger - showed their ruthless edge and effectively finished the tie inside the first half.

Graham Hansen already had two efforts blocked by Rebecca McKenna and Lauren Rafferty, but the Norwegian captain was on hand to slot home Emilie Woldvik's low cross in the seventh minute.

Norway had further chances through Arsenal's Frida Maanum and Bergsvand, but Northern Ireland went further behind when Bayern Munich defender Hansen drilled into the bottom corner after Nat Johnson's header fell to her 25 yards from goal.

Rafferty blocked Vilde Boe Risa's shot as the pressure kept coming, but Graham Hansen showed her class as she raced into the area and slotted past Jackie Burns at her near post.

It seemed almost inevitable the Barcelona star, who was pipped to the Ballon d'Or by club team-mate Aitana Bonmati, would have a say in Larne, and her strike was an 11th in total against Northern Ireland - amounting to almost a quarter of her 48 international goals.

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Northern Ireland improved after the restart but the damage was done in the first half by Norway

Johnson fired over in a rare venture forward for Northern Ireland, before Rebecca Holloway put in a superb block to deny Karina Saevik and Risa spiralled an effort over with the final kick of the half as Norway held a comfortable lead.

Oxtoby introduced midfielder Chloe McCarron for winger Danielle Maxwell at half-time and the hosts immediately looked more solid.

Norway were restricted to half chances in the second half, partially due to a more solid Northern Ireland display and the visitors also appeared to take their foot off the gas after the restart.

However, Norway got a fourth when Brighton defender Bergsvand reacted quickest in the area after a scramble when the hosts failed to clear a corner.

Maanum had an effort deflected into the arms of Burns and a cross across the face of goal by Graham Hansen was inches away from substitute Ada Hegerberg, who also headed over from a corner.

After defeating Albania 9-0 at home and with another strong performance in Northern Ireland, Grainger's side will look to finish the job in Oslo on Tuesday.

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