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Tuesday, May 12, 2026

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England go out after Norway draw

England U17 1 Norway U17 1

England’s Under-17 women were eliminated from the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship in Northern Ireland following a 1-1 draw against Norway in their final Group A fixture.

Chelsea N’Drin’s second half header gave the Young Lionesses hope, but it was not enough to secure progression. Norway advanced to the semi finals on goals scored after both sides finished level on points.

England began to settle into the contest and fashioned a couple of half-chances in the opening 20 minutes, with Abbie Jones coming closest as she stretched but failed to connect with a low cross.

The Norwegians took the lead in the 25th minute when England failed to clear their lines. Sofia Norebo smashed a powerful half volley past goalkeeper Evie Mitchell, leaving Kerri Welsh’s side requiring at least two goals to progress.

Chances were scarce for the remainder of the first half as both teams struggled for control. England improved markedly after the interval, with substitutes N’Drin and Kyri Teer-Hutchins injecting energy into the attack.

N’Drin registered the Young Lionesses’ first shot on target shortly after the hour mark, and the pressure eventually told. Mia Dixon delivered an inswinging corner that found N’Drin unmarked at the back post; the Liverpool forward escaped her marker to nod the ball past Erla Braathen and restore parity.

England continued to push forward in search of a winner. Phoebe De Bohan tried an ambitious strike that Braathen turned behind, but as the hosts committed more players upfield, Norway nearly snatched victory. Hanne Nesse flashed a late effort just wide of Mitchell’s far post.

Despite a much improved second half display, England were unable to find a second goal and finished third in Group A, level on points with second-placed Norway, who progressed on the tiebreaker.

England will still have one more match before departing though, and much to play for. On Thursday they take on Poland with the winners taking the last European qualification spot for the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup Finals.

England Under-17: Evie Mitchell, Zoe Ciccardini (sub Maisie Brickell 81mins), Katie Scott, Romia Gagliano (sub Freya Hirons 74mins), Lucy Robinson, Amarachukwu Nwankwo, Bryony Brodie, Mia Dixon, Sophia Burton (sub Kyri Teer-Hutchins 45mins), Phoebe De Bohan, Abbie Jones (sub Chelsea N’Drin 45mins). Subs not used: Victoria Rudz, Cairo Antoine, Gabriella Storey, Isabella Cowley, Lottie Day.