Norway Defeats Northern Ireland 4-0 in Playoff

Northern Ireland's chances of qualifying for Euro 2025 were severely undermined following a 4-0 defeat to Norway in the first leg of their play-off. Caroline Graham Hansen scored twice in the first half, with Tuva Hansen adding another goal before Guro Bergsvand capped off the scoring in the second half. Northern Ireland, who had previously advanced by defeating Croatia, struggled defensively, conceding two goals within the first 14 minutes and trailing 3-0 at halftime. The defeat leaves Tanya Oxtoby's team facing a daunting task in the return leg in Oslo. Norway, currently ranked 16th in FIFA, showcased their superiority throughout the match.