Nice: Elise Kellond-Knights’ stunning goal was not enough for Australia as Norway won on penalties here to step into FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw after the regular time and failed to score in the extra time on Saturday.Then Norway managed all their four attempts on target in the penalty shootout while Australia just made one out of three. It was their third meeting in World Cups after both sides finished second in the group stage of France 2019. The Aussie had a strong start, trying to use their tempo to a good effect. But it was the Norwegians that broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Isabell Herlovsen gathered a long pass from Karina Saevik, looping it over an on-rushing goalkeeper Lydia Williams. This was Herlovsenr’s second goal in the knockout stage. In 2007, she scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 quarterfinal win against the then host China. Australia were awarded a penalty before the halftime for Maria Thorisdottir’s handball but it was eventually canceled by VAR. In an early fixture, Germany enjoyed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nigeria. (PTI)
