Norway advanced to the Euro 2013 semifinal on Monday with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Spain.
Solveig Gulbrandsen opened the scoring for Norway in the 24th minute with a curling cross that went untouched through traffic and into the back of the net. The goal came just a minute after Ada Hegerberg pushed a shot inches wide of the far post for Norway.
Norway doubled its lead in the 43rd minute when Spain defender Irene Paredes made a meal of a clearance and deflected the ball into her own net.
Hegerberg would deservedly get her goal in the 64th minute, beautifully curling the ball over Spanish goalkeeper Ainhoa Tirapu, off the inside of the far post and in for a third goal to ice the game.
Spain got a deserved consolation in stoppage time when Jennifer Hermoso combined well with Vero Boquete before Hermoso finished at the far post.
Norway advances to face Denmark, which defeated Spain on penalty kicks in the other quarterfinal on Monday. For Spain, it’s a valiant effort that gives the progressing women’s football nation encouragement ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
