Also in today’s roundup, UEFA World Cup qualifiers continue
OFFICIAL: @PernilleMHarder is the UEFA 2017/18 Women’s Player of the Year?
Fantastic achievement, Pernille ? ?? pic.twitter.com/RtBtrMt2Wg
— UEFA (@UEFA) August 30, 2018
Today, UEFA announced that Wolfsburg and Denmark WNT forward Pernille Harder was named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year for 2017-2018. Harder finished ahead of Ada Hegerberg and Amandine Henry to take home the award.
The 25-year old striker led Wolfsburg to the UEFA Champions League Final and despite losing to Lyon, she was instrumental in the team’s campaign.
In the Bundesliga, Harder scored the most goals in the league, with 17 goals, helping Wolfsburg win the league and the domestic cup. She also key to keeping Denmark in contention to make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup through qualifying. So far, she has five goals and three assists for her country through qualifying.
UEFA World Cup qualifiers continue
Kim Little scored for Scotland today to help her side to three important points. (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)
On Thursday, Scotland beat Switzerland 2-1 in UEFA World Cup qualifying action in Group 2 to move level with them on points, but the Swiss have the head to head advantage on away goals ahead of Tuesday’s now-decisive games. Sweden scored three against Ukraine in Group 4 play while Denmark and Croatia played to a 1-1 draw.
Full Thursday results below.
Russia 3-0 Kazakhstan: Russia got on the board quick as Marina Fedorova put one away just three minutes in. They doubled their lead a minute before the half time whistle thanks to the first of two goals on the day by Nadezhda Smirnova. She scored her second in the 56th minute to solidify the win for Russia. With 10 points through seven games, Russia sits in third place in the Group A standings, behind both England and Whales.
Moldova 0-7 Portugal: It took 20 minutes for Portugal to break through Moldova’s defense, but once it happened, the floodgates opened. Portugal scored four before halftime thanks to Carolina Mendes, Andreia Norton and Vanessa Malho who notched two of her own only two minutes apart. Portugal found the back of the net three more times before the whistle blew to end the match, taking a 7-0 victory over Moldova. Portugal now has eight points through 7 matches and sits in third place in Group F standings behind Italy and Belgium.
Sweden 3-0 Ukraine: Elin Rubensson, Magdalena Eriksson, and Kosovare Asllani each put one away for Sweden who outshot Ukraine 15-5 through 90 minutes. Sweden sits in first place in Group D standings with 18 points through seven games.
Denmark 1-1 Croatia: A last minute stoppage time equalizer saved the day for Denmark as Nadia Nadim scored in the 92nd minute to salvage the point for her side. With the tie, Denmark now sits in second place in Group D behind Sweden. Croatia, with only 3 points, sits at the bottom of the Group D table.
Scotland 2-1 Switzerland: Scotland was able to notch two goals within five minutes and hold onto that lead to take home three points against Switzerland. Erin Cuthbert opened scoring in the 2nd minute and Kim Little doubled her side’s lead in the 5th minute. Switzerland was able to put one away in the 7th minute thanks to Lara Dickenmann but it wasn’t enough. Switzerland and Scotland are level on points with 18 each through 7 games.
Tomorrow, 14 more teams will take the pitch with the hopes of qualification on the line. Most notably, it will be Wales and England that draw the most eyeballs as Wales looks to qualify for it’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.
