Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s were defeated by Norway in the first of three WU17 Euro 2027 qualifiers this month.
Competition
WU17 Euro 2027 Qualifiers (Round 1)
Scoreline
Norway WU17s 4-0 Northern Ireland WU17s
Scorers
Norway: Willumsen, Aasdokken, Nielsen, Waehler
Venue
Sarpsborg Stadium, Norway
Date
7 October 2026
Team News
Northern Ireland are competing in League A Group 1 in round one of the qualifiers for WU17 Euro 2027 this month.
Their opponents are top seeds and mini tournament hosts Norway along with Austria and Italy.
Head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey, who is being assisted by Julie Nelson in Norway, has a 20-player squad at her disposal for the qualifiers.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started brightly. Defender Sara Devany found attacker Abi Curley out wide and her cross into the area was gathered well by the Norway keeper.
Midfielder Iselin Hamnvik had a shot blocked as Norway pressed. Then striker Mathilde Aasdokken had an attempt on goal before winger Leah Roaas swept a shot wide and captain Live Balmforth missed a chance for the hosts. And Northern Ireland keeper Ifeoma Agoha pushed out a close range strike.
Northern Ireland attacker Grace Murray’s corner was cleared by the Norwegian defence on 27 minutes and three minutes later midfielder Grace Guest let fly from the edge of the area. Her shot went inches past the post.
Agoha was called into action again on 40 minutes. She superbly tipped a well-struck shot from Roaas onto the bar.
But a minute later the hosts took the lead. Full back Johanna Mathisen whipped a cross into the area and forward Josefine Willumsen tucked the ball home at the back post.
Half-time: Norway WU17s 1-0 Northern Ireland WU17s
Early in the second half Agoha did well to push a Roass strike around the post and then she saved an effort from Hermine Arnstad.
Norway had a series of corners, however the Northern Ireland defence held firm. Balmforth, substitute Tine Hermansen, Arnstad and Aasdokken all missed opportunities.
Anna Rose Robinson worked hard up front to close down Norway at source. She was ably assisted by Murray and Curley on the flanks.
On 70 minutes Northern Ireland substitute Charley McMullan fired in a free-kick from distance which went inches over the bar.
Unfortunately the girls in green and white tired as the game wore on and the Norwegians took full advantage.
In the 80th minute Aasdokken made it 2-0 and a third goal for Norway followed just a minute later. This time it was substitute Sara Nielsen who was on the scoresheet.
The Norwegians were relentless and Curley conceded a penalty for a foul on defender Ragna Thorleifsson. The spot kick was duly slotted home by substitute Martine Waehler.
Next up for Northern Ireland is a game against Austria in Sarpsborg on Saturday (10 October) at 6.30pm BST. The Austrians defeated Italy 3-1 in their first group game.
Full-time: Norway WU17s 4-0 Northern Ireland WU17s
Line-ups
Norway: Tine Strand Nilsen, Ragna Thorleifsson, Johanna Mathisen, Ingrid Mannsverk, Sina Horpestad, Live Balmforth (captain), Mathilde Aasdokken, Iselin Hamnvik, Josefine Willumsen, Hermine Arnstad, Leah Roaas.
Substitutes: (used) Tine Hermansen, Karoline Lunde, Martine Waehler, Sara Nielsen, Emma Onsoien; (unused) Selma Pettersen (GK), Isabell Eide-Hellesund, Vilma Bremnes, Troya Garstad.
Northern Ireland WU17s: Ifeoma Agoha, Grace Steele, Anayah Lee, Sara Devany, Sasha Cowan, Anna Smyth (captain), Grace Murray, Zion Donnan, Anna Rose Robinson, Grace Guest, Abigail Curley.
Substitutes: (used) Charley McMullan, Ella Kitson, Leah Hepburn, Connie Harper, Abigail Fitzsimmons; (unused) Saskia McLaughlin (GK), Ellie-Mae Turner, Daisy-Lee Anderson, Siena Moore.
