ÖFB Women lose in Norway but secure third place and play-off spot

In the Ullevaal Stadion, the Norwegian women found the better rhythm from the start. After just around 30 seconds, Thea Bjelde headed in from a cross by Guro Reiten, but the goal was disallowed due to a preceding play. In the 29th minute, Eileen Campbell ran alone toward the Norwegian goal, but was decisively disrupted by Ingrid Engen just in time.

First half: Chances at both ends

The ÖFB team operated in a 5-3-2 system this time and was determined from the outset to disrupt the Norwegian women early. In the 26th minute, Guro Bergsvand narrowly missed the ball right in front of goal after a cross, and in the 37th minute Mariella El Sherif, who guarded the goal despite finger problems, made a strong save against a shot by Barcelona's Graham Hansen to the near post.

Austria's best chance fell to Julia Hickelsberger-Füller, who in the 44th minute headed wide from close range after a cross from Naschenweng. It was the first ÖFB goal conceded after two consecutive clean sheets – Bjelde had struck in the 46th minute with a header, before Caroline Graham Hansen headed in from close range just two minutes later.

Quick double and consolation goal

Shortly after the break, Barbara Dunst reduced the deficit in the 51st minute, having stepped into the starting eleven for the suspended Annabel Schasching and scoring her 14th international goal. In the 55th minute, Signe Gaupset failed to beat El Sherif, and the follow-up lob by Elisabeth Terland went over the bar.

In the 73rd minute, the Söndergaard team was lucky that a Terland goal was wrongly disallowed for offside – there is no VAR in the qualification, however. Shortly after, Graham Hansen stepped up to take a disputed penalty, but her weak shot was an easy save for El Sherif. In the 67th minute, El Sherif also distinguished herself against a Terland effort.

El Sherif keeps Austria in the game

New team coach Lars Söndergaard, following his debut in the 1:0 win over Slovenia in Vienna on Friday, had made only the two changes to the starting eleven that he was forced to make: St. Pölten captain Jennifer Klein replaced Virginia Kirchberger, who was absent for private reasons, in the centre of defence. Against the Norwegian women, there was nothing to be gained, just as in the narrow 0:1 in Maria Enzersdorf – it was the sixth defeat in the tenth direct encounter with the 1995 world champions.

The draw for the play-off pairings will take place on 18 June. As group runners-up, Slovenia must face an opponent from League B, while Austria and Norway will enter a first play-off round in October.