England talking points: Don't doubt Ellen White's credentials, Norway suffer defensive nightmare in Women's Euros

12.07.2022, 09:38 skysports.com

England registered a record-breaking victory over two-times European champions Norway to seal qualification as Group A winners on Monday evening. But what more did we learn about Sarina Wiegman's side? England just hammered the seventh ranked nation in Europe - a team containing a Ballon d'Or winner and various other players that have dominated the continent at club level. They were quick to spot the Norwegian defence's weaknesses and ruthlessly tore them apart. It's everything head coach Wiegman has been asking for and the first time we've seen England truly pick apart top-class opposition under her stewardship. Wiegman knows how to win a home Euros, has she instilled that into her new nation already? Ellen White's place in the starting XI was a topic of much discussion in the build-up to this game. After only four Women's Super League goals for Manchester City all season - and just two for England this calendar year - an increasing number of fans and pundits wanted to see fresh blood up front. Meet the Lionesses Women's Euro 2022: All you need to know Women's Euros 2022 fixtures Euro 2022 kits: England, N Ireland and more! But against Norway, we saw the return of 'Showtime' Ellen White - when the world's watching, the No 9 starts scoring. Now just one goal off Wayne Rooney's all-time England record, White has cemented her place as one of her country's greatest ever forwards. That reputation will only be enhanced the further England go in the competition. Norway head coach Martin Sjogren insisted England were under pressure going into the presumptive group decider, which is something Wiegman didn't necessarily agree with. After such a resounding win, the so-called pressure will turn to fervent expectation as the nation gets excited about the potential of this team. England have been seen as "one of the favourites" for some time. Expect the odds to shorten and the hyperbole to increase over the next few days. After conceding the fourth goal in the first half, Norway's players held an impromptu huddle to try to make sure the game didn't turn into a rout. They went on to let in another two before the break. All the talk in the build-up was about their exciting and experienced attacking threats. England fans were worried about Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten and many others. When times got hard Norway struggled to get any of them on the ball, some of the world's best attackers just became training cones for England to pass and dribble around. How do Norway turn this around ahead of a huge match against Austria on Friday? Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland Group stage Wednesday July 6 Group A: England 1-0 Austria Thursday July 7 Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland Friday July 8 Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark Saturday July 9 Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden Sunday July 10 Group D: Belgium 1-1 Iceland Group D: France 5-1 Italy Monday July 11 Group A: Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland Group A: England 8-0 Norway Tuesday July 12 Group B: Denmark vs Finland - kick-off 5pm, Stadium MK Group B: Germany vs Spain - kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium Wednesday July 13 Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland - kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane Group C: Netherlands v Portugal - kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village Thursday July 14 Group D: Italy vs Iceland - kick-off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium Group D: France vs Belgium - kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium Friday July 15 Group A: Northern Ireland v England - kick-off 8pm, St Mary's Group A: Austria vs Norway - kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium Saturday July 16 Group B: Finland vs Germany - kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK Group B: Denmark vs Spain - kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium Sunday July 17 Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands - kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane Group C: Sweden vs Portugal - kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village Monday July 18 Group D: Iceland vs France - kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium Group D: Italy vs Belgium - kick-off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium Knockout phase Quarter-finals Wednesday July 20 Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B - kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium Thursday July 21 Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A - kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium Friday July 22 Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D - kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C - kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium Semi-finals Tuesday July 26 Semi-final 1: Winners quarter-final 1 v Winners quarter-final 3 - kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane Wednesday July 27 Semi-final 2: Winners quarter-final 2 v Winners quarter-final 4 - kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK Final Sunday July 31 Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2 - kick-off 5pm, Wembley