Norway deliver knockout blow

Norway booked their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women's U-19 Championship with a hard-fought victory over old foes Denmark in Akranes.

Late drama
An injury-time winner from Isabell Herlovsen sent the Norway bench into delirium after Ingvild Isaksen's second-half goal had been cancelled out by Sanne Troelsgaard's looping shot. The result means Norway will meet Group B winners England in the last four while also rubber-stamping the Norwegians' ticket to the FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup next winter.

Tight contest
The match began with Denmark probing and Norway happy to sit back and hit their Scandinavian rivals on the break. It was one such counterattack that created Norway's first opportunity but Isaksen's free-kick from the edge of the Denmark area whistled past the post. Denmark's best chance of the opening half arrived seconds before the interval when three goal-bound efforts from Nanna Christiansen and Emma Madsen were somehow kept out by brave defending from Astrid Ree.

Danish push
The Danes, needing a victory to progress, played some inspired football as they went in search of the goal that would extend their tournament. But it was Norway who broke the deadlock and went on to claim second spot in Group A behind a Germany side who collected maximum points on their way to winning the pool. Jarl Torske's team took the lead in the 75th minute thanks to a long-range effort from Isaksen which Denmark keeper Mie Juhl Koch could not prevent from crossing the line.

Norway joy
Undeterred, the Danes hit back five minutes later with a contender for goal of the championship. Troelsgaard picked up the ball on the right wing and, from what seemed an impossible angle, curled a shot into the top corner. Henrik Lehm's side thundered forward but the Norway defence held firm and, with gaps appearing in the Danish back line, Herlovsen raced clear before slotting the winner to secure second spot.