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Mead scores hat-trick as England make history against Norway
By Adam Schultz
The Lionesses produced a performance for the ages as Arsenal star Beth Mead netted a sensational hat trick in the rout.
Well, who saw that coming? After a relatively nervous display to open up the tournament against Austria, England produced a history-making performance against Norway, slamming home eight goals while keeping a clean sheet.
Arsenal’s Leah Williamson started in the heart of the defence, partnering Millie Bright. Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh played in their midfield roles while Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp, and Fran Kirby sat behind Ellen White in a 4-2-3-1 formation for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
Tonight's result means we will finish top of Group A 👊
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 11, 2022
We'll see you again on 20 July, Brighton! pic.twitter.com/iPWT3I1ma9
Gunner Beth Mead will grab the headlines with her sensational hat-trick, while Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, and an Ellen White double put Norway to the sword.
Stanway’s early penalty on 12 minutes got the hosts off on the right foot before Lauren Hemp doubled the host’s lead just minutes later.
Braces from Ellen White and Beth Mead gave England six without reply as they headed into half-time in a dominant position.
Mead was fantastic as she headed home her first before bamboozling several Norway defenders on her way to a second, while White pounced on a mistake to race in on goal for her first and was on the end of a Fran Kirby shot/cross at the back post to poke home her second.
Beth Mead woke up and decided she was going to completely torment Norway at Women's EURO 2022 🏴
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 11, 2022
She becomes just the sixth player to score a hat-trick at a Women's EUROs.
It's Meado's world. We're just living in it.@BritBox_AUS #WEURO2022 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/b6T8VqOtxn
Alessia Russo then made it seven after the break as she headed home from close range as the Lionesses broke the record for most goals in a single game at the Women’s European Championship.
Mead then completed her hat-trick ten minutes from time after a shot from Keira Walsh was saved, but Guro Pettersen in the Norway goal could only push it into the sight of Mead, and the Gunners ace was there to tap home to further embarrass Norway.
A crowd of just under 29,000 were on hand to witness history at the American Express Community Stadium on the South Coast. With the win, England made it back-to-back victories and have now booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.