Report: England WU23s 0-2 Norway

England made a losing start to the defence of their U23 European title as they were beaten 2-0 by Norway at the LNER Community Stadium.

The Young Lionesses were unable to break down the stubborn visitors in their first game since being crowned U23 European champions in April, which was played in front of 3,108 fans - a record attendance for an England WU23 game. 

Norway scored a goal in each half through Ronja Foss Arnesen and Josefine Birkelund.

England made a similarly slow start last season and lost to Germany in their opening game before going on to win the title, giving them plenty of hope ahead of further Group B matches against Belgium, Portugal and Italy.

They also beat Norway en route to the title last year but the visitors were excellent in York, and scored early to immediately set the tone.

They were rapid on the counter-attack and took the lead in the eighth minute with a well-executed move that sliced England open.

Cille Nilsen split the defence with a fine pass for Thea Kyvåg to run onto down the left-hand side, and her low cross was inch-perfect for a charging Arnesen to tap in at the back post.

Norway had three corners in the first 16 minutes as they pinned England back but the hosts kept them at arm’s length.

They went closest to scoring next as Georgia Mullett ran on to a through ball in the penalty area and got a shot on goal, but the acute angle was against her and goalkeeper Emma Andrea Ronning made a low save.

On the half-hour mark, the hosts once again carved out an opportunity as Keira Barry ran down the right and sent a low cross into the box. Mullett’s attempted flick ricocheted for Lexi Lloyd-Smith, whose goalbound shot from the edge of the area was blocked by a Norway defender.

The visitors held their 1-0 lead to half-time and were increasingly keen to defend deep and hit England on the counter-attack.

They had the first chance of the second half as they worked a two-on-two in England’s half but were unable to take advantage as Arnesen shot straight at Eve Annets from a tight angle.

Kyvåg went close minutes later with a miscued cross that almost beat a scrambling Annets and found the top corner but instead landed on the roof of the net.

England manager Lydia Bedford made her first changes mid-way through the second half, with Lenna Gunning-Williams introduced in order to add an attacking spark.

However, Norway doubled their lead soon after as Birkelund jumped highest and powered home a header from a corner.

England went in immediate search of a goal back and almost found one in the 69th minute as Naomi Layzell’s shot from close range forced Ronning into a sharp stop.

England created further chances, as substitute Sophie Harwood’s drive required a low save from Ronning, who then had to spring straight back into action to deny Lily Murphy’s follow-up.

However, they were unable to break through, with a low Gunning-Williams drive that flew inches wide in injury time proving to be the closest they came.

England: 1 Eve Annets (Manchester City, on loan to Hibernian), 2 Jessica Simpson (Manchester United), 5 Hannah Silcock (Everton), 6 Teyah Goldie (London City Lionesses, on loan to Crystal Palace), 3 Megan Collett (Southampton), 4 Keira Flannery (Charlton), 8 Laila Harbert (San Diego Wave), 7 Keira Barry (Bay FC), 10 Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Crystal Palace), 11 Mia Enderby (Liverpool), 9 Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa)

Substitutes: 18 Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur) for Enderby 65’, 15 Naomi Layzell (Manchester City, on loan to Everton) for Silcock 65’, 14 Sophie Harwood (Arsenal, on loan to Sheffield United) for Mullett 73’, 20 Lily Murphy (Manchester City, on loan to Aston Villa) for Barry 79’

Subs not used: 12 Nelly Las (Chelsea), 13 Sophia Poor (London City Lionesses), 16 Gracie Prior (Manchester City), 17 Brooke Aspin (Bristol City), 19 Grace McEwen (Nottingham Forest on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), 21 Sienna-Rose Wareing (West Ham), 22 Kaiya Jota (Stanford University), 23 Poppy Pritchard (Leicester City)

Manager: Lydia Bedford

Norway: 12 Emma Andrea Ronning, 3 Mia Authen (c), 4 Andrea Buberg, 5 Oda Mathilde Johansen, 6 Julie Aune Jorde, 7 Cille Nilsen, 11 Thea Kyvåg, 14 Ronja Foss Arnesen, 15, Josefine Henriette Karoline Engueleguele Birkelund, 18 Emilie Libakken Østerås, 20 Sara Kanutte Sorensen Fornes

Substitutes: 10 Sanne Bolette Dale Lekven for Kyvåg 71’, 8 Thea Helene Gammelgaard Sørbo for Jorde 77’, 16 Stine Nybø Brekken for Nilsen 87’, 2 Synne Aunehaugen for Arnesen 87’

Subs not used: 1 Savanna Mary-Anne Duffy, 9 Frøya Brennskag-Dorsin, 13 Emma Lindiwe Reshane, 17 Martine Trollsås Fenger, 19 Tomine Svendheim

Goals: Ronja Foss Arnesen 8, Josefine Henriette Karoline Engueleguele Birkelund 65’