Le Havre: England have advanced to the Women's World Cup semi-finals after beating Norway 3-0.
After Jill Scott put Phil Neville's side ahead with a fine finish in just the third minute at the Stade Oceane – the fastest goal of the tournament – the English never looked back.
England's Jill Scott (right) watches as her shot at goal goes past Norway's defenders to score.Credit:AP
Ellen White, having hit the post just before the half-hour mark, made it 2-0 with a 40th-minute tap-in, taking her goal tally in France to five as she moved alongside the US' Alex Morgan and Australia's Sam Kerr as the tournament's joint top-scorer.
Lucy Bronze then added a superb third in the 57th minute, smashing a shot past Ingrid Hjelmseth from just outside the box.
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Norway, who upset the Matildas in the round of 16 in a penalty shootout, came close to pulling a goal back soon when substitute Lisa-Marie Utland's shot was cleared off the line by Steph Houghton.
England then had the chance to extend their lead with seven minutes of normal time remaining, but Nikita Parris' penalty was saved by Hjelmseth – the second time in the campaign she has failed from the spot.
England celebrate their quarter-final triumph over Norway.Credit:AP
England coach Phil Neville said he and the team were having the "time of our lives" after reaching the semi-finals.
"We expected nothing else and that's not being arrogant. I thought it should have been four or five [goals]," he told BBC One.
"That is the level of performance we have been showing. We are having the time of our lives. We are just where we want to be."
Neville also heaped praise on Bronze.
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Australian Breaking News Headlines
Le Havre: England have advanced to the Women's World Cup semi-finals after beating Norway 3-0.
After Jill Scott put Phil Neville's side ahead with a fine finish in just the third minute at the Stade Oceane – the fastest goal of the tournament – the English never looked back.
England's Jill Scott (right) watches as her shot at goal goes past Norway's defenders to score.Credit:AP
Ellen White, having hit the post just before the half-hour mark, made it 2-0 with a 40th-minute tap-in, taking her goal tally in France to five as she moved alongside the US' Alex Morgan and Australia's Sam Kerr as the tournament's joint top-scorer.
Lucy Bronze then added a superb third in the 57th minute, smashing a shot past Ingrid Hjelmseth from just outside the box.
Advertisement
Norway, who upset the Matildas in the round of 16 in a penalty shootout, came close to pulling a goal back soon when substitute Lisa-Marie Utland's shot was cleared off the line by Steph Houghton.
England then had the chance to extend their lead with seven minutes of normal time remaining, but Nikita Parris' penalty was saved by Hjelmseth – the second time in the campaign she has failed from the spot.
England celebrate their quarter-final triumph over Norway.Credit:AP
England coach Phil Neville said he and the team were having the "time of our lives" after reaching the semi-finals.
"We expected nothing else and that's not being arrogant. I thought it should have been four or five [goals]," he told BBC One.
"That is the level of performance we have been showing. We are having the time of our lives. We are just where we want to be."
Neville also heaped praise on Bronze.
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