Chelsea FC Women captain Magdalena Eriksson scored for Sweden, Pernille Harder netted for Denmark and Sophie Ingle skippered Wales to victory in their UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying matches.
Sophie Ingle was presented with her 100th Wales cap at Rodney Parade this evening after marking the milestone against Norway last month. It was a successful night for the Chelsea midfielder as she skippered Wales to a commanding 4-0 victory against the Faroe Islands in Group C.
Wales’ all-time leading scorer Helen Ward put them ahead on 32 minutes with a beautiful finish and their lead was almost doubled minutes later but Brighton & Hove Albion forward Kayleigh Green struck the woodwork.
Tash Harding of Reading netted Wales’ second goal when she got on the end of a loose ball to fire into the bottom corner just before the hour mark. Minutes later, Harding notched her second of the encounter when she headered home a cross at the back post. Wales youngster Lily Woodham added to the scoring to register her first goal for her country with a powerful header beyond the Faroe Islands goalkeeper.
Wales are currently in second place in Group C with Norway topping the table. Ingle will next come up against Norway team-mates Maren Mjelde, Maria Thorisdottir and Guro Reiten in Wales on Tuesday.
Defenders Magdalena Eriksson and Jonna Andersson played in Sweden’s empathic 7-0 triumph over Latvia tonight. The Swedes got off to a perfect start in Gothenburg having found the net within 50 seconds of play when Lina Hurtig nodded in Hannah Glas’ cross. By half-time they had a five-goal advantage with the Chelsea captain Eriksson scoring the fourth to earn herself the player of the match award. Andersson managed to get involved with the attacking play by assisting Pauline Hammarland for the fifth goal.
Tonight’s win puts Sweden in a hopeful position to qualify, however, they come up against second place Iceland on Tuesday which will be a must-win fixture for the Swedes.
Pernille Harder and Denmark moved one step closer to sealing a spot at the 2022 Euros last night by beating Israel 4-0. The Chelsea forward got the opening goal of the night in Viborg, Denmark, shortly after the interval when she poked an effort beyond the Israeli keeper. A few minutes later, the Danish captain doubled the lead when she curled a sublime shot from range into the top corner.
An own-goal and a fine header from Juventus midfielder Sofie Junge ensured the Scandinavian side came away with a comfortable win in Group B. Denmark have played eight out of 10 matches and have maximum points so far, with a massive goal difference of +45. Next up Harder and Denmark face an unbeaten Italy side on Tuesday.