So, 450 days after securing qualification, Northern Ireland have now played their first ever match at a major finals.

It was a 4-1 defeat and it always looked like it was going to be a defeat after Norway scored those two early goals.

However, that headed goal from Julie Nelson really will live long in the memories of so many people in Northern Ireland, and there probably couldn't have been a more popular goalscorer.

Nelson was playing when the women's team had to pay for their own travel soon after the team was disbanded over 20 years ago, so it was fitting that she scored such a historic goal.

Credit to the Norwegians who took control from the outset and never looked like letting it go.

It's Austria next for Kenny Shiels' girls on Monday, with Norway playing hosts England on the same day.

Read Andy Gray's match report from St Mary's here.

Thanks for joining us - the team will be back to do it all over again tomorrow.

Image source, Getty Images

It was Norway who won, but it is a night Northern Ireland will savour.

Here are the highlights from St Mary's.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels on BBC Two: "You are not happy when you get beaten 4-1 but there are extenuating circumstances. They were nervous for the first 25-30 minutes and you can see Hansen and Hegerberg, how good they are they.

"We were against the two best strikers in the world and we drew the last hour of the game. If you take out the penalty kick, we actually won it. The scoreline was hard to take, I thought we deserved better than that but we are three years into this programme and it will take 10 years to take us into the top 20 in Europe.

"If we can continue to progress then we can do it a bit quicker. We have to get real and understand this is an emerging game in Northern Ireland. We have created a monster because we have grown too quickly and are playing against teams of this ilk. It is tough.

"We matched them for the last hour, they had more territory but we got one v one and did a lot of good stuff. We created, got in behind for half an hour of the match and we pinned them back. That gives us encouragement and the girls were superb, They gave everything for their country and the fans will be very proud of them.

"It is learning all the time and you can see what we got from that, we started believing as the match matured. The experience is brilliant for them."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I’m quite excited about Monday night. I want to see if they can carry it on. Can they start that way instead of only doing it at 3-0 down? If you’re just outplayed, you have to accept it. But you can rectify those small mistakes.

I was frightened at half-time that we'd reach a stage where we were hoping for the final whistle. Now it's about being more rounded and game-aware.

Graham Hansen's first-half penalty tonight was the Barcelona winger's 44th international goal, moving her two clear of Hegerberg in eighth place on Norway’s all-time scorers list.

Image source, Getty Images

NI goalscorer Julie Nelson to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It felt like a home game. We're disappointed with the result and the manner in which we conceded. We can take heart from the performance after that.

"We were a little nervy in the first 15-20 minutes, our first experience of a major tournament. We were a bit sloppy.

"Incredible feeling [to score]. As a defender, you don't expect to score the first goal. I had to do a double-take to check it had gone in."

Image source, Shutterstock

Image source, Shutterstock

"That feeling," say Norway after their first Euros win for nine years.

Kelly Smith
Former England striker on BBC Two

England need to be good one v one defenders and picking up Caroline Graham Hansen.

She makes Norway tick and England have to communicate to stop her. She is driving forward, dictating and got a goal today.

Tell everyone you know.

Julie Nelson scored Northern Ireland first-ever goal at a major finals.

Oh yes, she did.

A moment for the country to cherish, even in defeat.

Image source, Press Eye

Tonight's victors had never won by more than two goals at the finals before.

Well played, Norway. Well played.

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland goalscorer Julie Nelson on BBC One: "We knew it was going to be a difficult task, we were nervy in the first 15 minutes and conceded a couple of goals but stepped up after that.

"We restricted them to not many chances in the second half and made ourselves hard to beat. That is what we need to do.

"I definitely did not think it would be me on the scoresheet but it is an incredible feeling to score Northern Ireland's first goal in a major tournament."

Caragh Hamilton
Northern Ireland international on BBC One

The girls, Kenny and the staff will be delighted with the performance and worked hard in the second half. We were making things happen in the final third, which we were lacking in the first half.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Northern Ireland will have been disappointed at half-time. In the second half it ended 1-1 so that’s a huge step forward. It should give them huge confidence. They knew they improved in the second half. The challenge is to replicate that in their next game.

Natasha Dowie
Reading and England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

On celebrating with the fans at full-time

Northern Ireland would have been in it to win it. They would have wanted a result. They are history makers. They should be proud of their second-half performances. Why shouldn’t they be with their friends, family and kids? This doesn’t happen often to them. Be proud of their second-half performance. It’s lovely to see.

I was really impressed with the last 20-30 minutes of the game. They grew into the game.

Megan Bell
Northern Ireland international on BBC One

A brilliant start in the second half, the girls will have been so disappointed with the goals they conceded. An incredible reaction and having the captain on the pitch in the second half was a huge lift. They started to exploit the spaces and I am delighted for Julie Nelson, a great moment for her.

And the Norway players are now in front of their supporters, enjoying that winning feeling together.

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland persevered against one of the tournament favourites.

The Northern Ireland players go over to thank their supporters.

They have just lost but this really is a lovely moment.

There is a bond between fans and players - and you can see that.

Gail Redmond
Ex-Northern Ireland international on BBC One

Kenny Shiels did a fantastic job at half time to see what changes needed to be made.

The introduction of the captain really worked for the team and he will be delighted by the second half performance, especially Nelson's goal.

Their first ever goal in a major tournament is just phenomenal.

Northern Ireland will take more positives than negatives, even though they have conceded four and been under pressure for large parts of the game.

The second half performance was encouraging.