The English football players have also convincingly won their last group match at the European Championship. The host country, where national coach Sarina Wiegman was missing due to a corona infection, was 5-0 too strong for Northern Ireland in Southampton on Friday. Austria also qualified for the quarterfinals in the same group.
Francesca Kirby opened the score for England against Northern Ireland a few minutes before half-time. Before the break, Beth Mead doubled the lead.
Substitute Alessia Russo took care of the third and fourth goal of the English early in the second half. A clumsy own goal by Kelsie Burrows made it 5-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium fifteen minutes before the end.
Wiegman was tested positive for the corona virus earlier in the day. As a result, assistant national coach took the honors against Northern Ireland.
In the other match in this group, Austria beat Norway 1-0 in Brighton thanks to a goal from Nicole Billa. As a result, the Austrian women behind England move on to the last eight in second.
In the quarter-finals, England will face Spain or Denmark next Wednesday in Brighton. Austria will play against Germany a day later in Brentford.
Alessia Russo (right) scored twice for England.
Alessia Russo (right) scored twice for England. Photo: Reuters
England only took the lead a few minutes before half-time
After the record win against Norway (8-0) England went on the hunt for goals against Northern Ireland from the first whistle. That seemed to be coming soon when referee Esther Staubli pointed to the spot after a handball from Laura Rafferty, but after the intervention of the VAR, the host country did not receive a penalty.
It took until four minutes before half time for the opening goal to fall. It was made by Kirby, who shot the ball hard into the top right corner. Four minutes later, Mead made it 2-0 with a slider in the left corner.
Immediately after the break, Russo extended the lead further. The attacker came in after the break and found the goal within two minutes with a header. After a through ball from Ella Toone, Russo scored again six minutes later.
Even after that it was not enough for England, but a record victory was not possible this time. However, Burrows made it 5-0 fifteen minutes before the end with an own goal. The substitute lifted her leg on a cross and shot the ball into his own goal. That was the end of it in Southampton.