Austria beat Norway to reach last eight

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One goal enough at the Brighton Community Stadium as Austria finish runners-up to England.

Bruce Talbot

2022-07-15T22:17:00Z

Nicole Billa celebrates the opening goal with Sarah Zadrazil

Norway failed to reach the WEURO knockout stage for the second straight tournament after they lost 1-0 to Austria at the Brighton Community Stadium on Friday.

In the second game in Sussex, a first-half header from Nicole Billa sealed a deserved win for Austria, who finished second to Group A winners England, in front of a crowd of 12,667.

Norway, twice former winners, needed to win to secure second place in the group behind the Lionesses, who finished with a 5-0 win over Northern Ireland.

But Austria dominated for long spells and took a deserved lead when Nicole Billa headed Verena Hanshaw’s cross into the far corner just before the break.

Austria's players celebrate after reaching the last eight.

Barbara Dunst and Billa shot were denied by Norway keeper Guro Pettersen in the second half as Austria continued to dominate before Norway rallied late on. Substitute Celin Ildhusoy struck the bar and Ada Hegerberg forced Manuela Zinsberger to make a late save, but Austria were deserved winners.

Austria, semi-finalists in 2017, will face Group B winners Germany in the last eight at Brentford next Thursday.

The final game in Brighton takes place next Wednesday when England take on either Spain or Denmark in the quarter-finals.