Norway beat Finland 2-1 on matchday two in Group A thanks to Caroline Graham Hansen’s 84th minute winner, despite another unconvincing display.
It was the perfect start for Gemma Grainger’s side after Eva Nyström’s unfortunate own goal. Yet Finland battled back and were deservedly level when Oona Sevenius’ rocket found the top corner.
Helmarit played some impressive football throughout the second half, but weren’t able to fashion enough chances. They were made to pay when Graham Hansen’s mis hit cross rebounded off the post and into the net.
The Lineups
NOR: Fiskerstrand, Lund, Hansen, Marviken, Bjelde, Engen, Graham Hansen, Bøe Risa, Reiten, Hegerberg, Leonhardsen Maanum
FIN: Koivunen, Tynnilä, Nyström, Kuikka, Kosola, Koivisto, Sevenius, Summanen, Siren, Öling, Sällström
The Action
Having suffered such a torrid start against Switzerland in their opening game, Norway could ill afford to do the same here. When Eva Nyström deflected the ball into her own net after three minutes, it appeared that they were on the right track in achieving just that.
A wonderful switch of play from Frida Maanum sent Caroline Graham Hansen free down the right. Tynnila did her best to hold up the Barcelona winger, but it was in vain. Graham Hansen burst past her, and her low ball was unwittingly deflected off Nyström and into the net.
Finland appeared unreturned by this early setback, creating a string of opportunities as they tried to pick apart Norway’s passive defence. A ball over the back line landed on the foot of Sällström, but Fiskerstrand was well positioned to tip it behind. Another well-threaded pass almost got Sällström through, but Cecilie Fiskerstrand was out quick to claim.
Norway were still offered a threat of their own in set pieces, with Vilde Bøe Risa’s inswinger glanced onto the post by Ingrid Engen. Seconds later, another corner looped over the keeper and off the upright.
Hegerberg then went close to scoring her second of the tournament. A deflected cross found her free in the penalty area, but Koivunen was out quickly to block the strike.
It proved to be a crucial save. Just three minutes later, Oona Siren’s driven pass found Sevenius free in the Norway penalty area, and her blistering strike rattled in the top corner.
Finland began the second half in the ascendancy. Emma Koivisto’s wing play caused Norway problems, repeatedly sending low deliveries into the six-yard box which both sides failed to contest.
Eveliina Summanen thought she had given Finland a goal at the hour-mark when her strike defeated the dive of Fiskerstrand before cannoning off the post. That was the summation of Finland’s attack. As the minutes ticked by, they ebbed, and Norway found a second wind.
Brilliantly, Koivunen tipped over Guro Reiten’s ambitious overhead kick. Then, Graham Hansen should have won it when second half substitute Signe Gaupset’s low cross found her unmarked in the box. Instead, it blazed wildly over.
It appeared destined that the game would end as a draw until Graham Hansen’s final intervention. Having bulldozed through two Finland defenders, and twisted past the attentions of a third, her dinked cross towards Ada Hegereberg struck the woodwork for the third time for Norway. This time, Finland’s luck was out, as the ball trickled over the line and into the net.
Graham Hansen’s brilliance saves Norway
Deja vu? It certainly felt like it. Unconvincing again. Benefitting from an own goal again. Enjoying a rum share of luck again. Winning again. It’s clearly a formula that is working, with two wins from two and in a strong position to make it to the knockout round for the first time since 2013. But this surely cannot be Norway’s masterplan. Blessed with so much talent, yet playing as though they are devoid of any. Only match winner Graham Hansen can emerge from these first two matches with any credit.
The same problems that Norway circumvented last time repeated themselves here. Just as in their opener with Switzerland, Norway refused to engage with the wide runners, preferring the defend the box with numbers. It lead to numerous deliveries from the wide areas flying through their penalty area, and they were fortunate Finland weren’t able to convert any of them. Finland were the driving force for most of the game, like Switzerland before them, it was only once they tired were Norway able to find a route to victory.
Simply outlasting your opponent and relying on luck and/or individual brilliance may work in the group stages, but it surely cannot sustain a side throughout the competition.
Finland’s finnishing falters
Much the better side throughout, Finland will be devastated. A win here would have put them in pole position to qualify from the group for the first time since 2009. The own goal was a cruel slice of luck early on, but they did terrifically well to bounce back and assert themselves on their Scandinavian rivals. They deserved Sevenius’ goal when it arrived.
But football is not just about playing well, it’s about converting that dominance into something on the scoreboard. In football, goals are not given out for nice play. Nice play has to lead to efforts on goal. For all of Finland’s dominance of possession and the shot counter, they did little to seriously exert keeper Fiskerstrand. They lacked the individual brilliance in attack that Norway possess in abundance. Norway created the better chances. They had already furnished two strong opportunities before Graham Hansen landed the killer blow.
Finland failed to strike when their iron was hot and suffered the predictable sucker punch. Now they must try and get that crucial second win against hosts Switzerland in their final game if they hope to reach the quarter finals.
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