Sweden fight back to edge out Norway

Sofia Jakobsson scored another crucial goal as Sweden came from behind to defeat Norway and book their place in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship semi-finals for the second year running.

Jakobsson form
Starting the afternoon third in Group B – a point behind their Scandinavian opponents – Norway knew they needed to win to be sure of going through, and they made the perfect start when Cecilie Pedersen struck on four minutes. For the second time in three days, however, Calle Barrling's charges recovered from a poor start, Antonia Göransson equalising on 35 minutes before Jakobsson's fine form in Belarus continued when she netted the winner just before the break.

Palpable relief
Pedersen signalled Norway's intent in the opening seconds, the attacking midfielder showing some wonderful skill in the box before shooting wide. She would not miss her second chance, though, powering home the loose ball after Sweden had failed to clear Julie Adserø's cross. It was Jarl Torske's team's first goal of the tournament and the relief in the dugout was palpable.

Defensive problems
If Norway had addressed their scoring problems, their usually reliable defence for once let them down. With Jakobsson sucking defenders towards her, Elisabeth Klinga found herself with time and space to lay the ball off to Göransson, who stroked a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Ingrid Thorbjørnsen. Just nine minutes after conceding for the first time in Belarus, Norway's back line creaked again as Jakobsson concluded her powerful surge with a good finish from a tight angle.

Kullberg clearances
Having already lost captain June Tårnes to a serious injury earlier in the competition, Norway's injury curse struck again as Pedersen and striker Hege Hansen were both forced off. They nevertheless came close to drawing level when the excellent Tina Algrøy raced on to Karoline Isabell Bakke's through-ball and chipped goalwards – only for Emma Kullberg to clear off the line. Amazingly, Kullberg was on hand to make a second goalline intervention following a corner on 72 minutes, as Sweden held on to the points to take second spot in the section behind England.