Northern Eire’s slender hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2022 knockout phases are over after their 2-0 defeat to Austria at a sizzling St Mary’s Stadium was once adopted by means of England’s win over Norway.

Kenny Shiels’ aspect went into their 2d workforce sport figuring out that failure to win would depart their knockout qualification hopes placing by means of a thread, a situation now not helped by means of the 42-degree pitchside warmth in Southampton at kick-off.

And mins ahead of Northern Eire’s avid gamers have been because of get a first-half water destroy, Katharina Schiechtl tapped house from shut vary from Sarah Puntigam’s free-kick, ahead of replace Katharina Naschenweng sealed the sport overdue on.

The end result supposed Northern Eire essential England to lose to Norway in a while Monday however as an alternative the event hosts delivered a record-breaking 8-0 win to seal the destiny of Shiels’ aspect.

Austria began the easier within the searing warmth, with winger Julia Hickelsberger taking a look the brightest participant at the pitch within the early exchanges.

The 22-year-old Austria winger headed Barbara Dunst’s move large within the opening exchanges ahead of putting in place two possibilities for striker Nicole Billa early on – person who hit the aspect netting and the opposite smothered by means of goalkeeper Jackie Burns on the ahead’s toes.

Northern Eire hardly controlled to get out in their half of however did create some possibilities after they did. Lauren Wade and Kirsty McGuiness attempted their success, however goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger controlled to carry each efforts simply.

And the impasse was once damaged simply moments ahead of the much-needed beverages destroy for Northern Eire as Schiechtl was once available to faucet house Puntigam’s deflected free-kick at the fringe of the field – a set-piece received by means of the difficult Hickelsberger.

It would had been two simply seconds later as Hickelsberger was once launched down the fitting with an extended ball ahead – and just a last-ditch problem from Sarah Mcfadden stopped Billa from having a tap-in.

Northern Eire goalkeeper Burns went from 0 to hero as her careless backpass fell instantly into the trail of Dunst, although the shot-stopper was once in a position to faucet the Austria winger’s chipped effort from distance onto the crossbar.

Shiels’ aspect controlled to stifle Austria’s attacking impetus initially of the second one duration however struggled to create probabilities of their very own. Wade put every other speculative first-time effort neatly over Zinsberger’s bar and little else adopted at each ends till the hour mark.

For Austria, Dunst produced a shot from the brink of the field that squirmed thru Burns’ palms – however landed at the best of the Northern Eire internet and now not inside of it. Exchange Laura Feiersinger flashed an effort simply over the Northern Eire purpose as the sport entered its ultimate 5 mins.

And the outcome was once showed when replace Abbie Magee was once stuck beneath Puntigam’s lengthy punt ahead, leaving Naschenweng to tuck the ball previous Burns. As the general whistle blew mins later, there was once the sensation that Austria had saved their fighters very a lot at arm’s period.

Shiels: NI got here to this Euros too quickly

Northern Eire supervisor Kenny Shiels to the BBC:

“I believe 1-0, 2-0 was once a little bit truthful. They were not predominantly higher than us however they have been in the important thing spaces. 2-0 is most definitely about proper.

“You have a look at the point of view and the place we’re and the place Austria are when it comes to the place they have got reached within the ladies’s sport. They have got probably the most very best academies in Europe. It is a actually tricky opponent however we are exercising that up to we will and the avid gamers are getting the revel in from the cruel video games – with yet one more coming and no larger one than England.

“If you happen to have a look at the place we have been once we got here in, we reached this stage too quickly. There is no means we will turn out to be a staff in two years how we have now carried out and take it to that stage right away. We now have some developmental stuff we want to do, with the nineteen, 20 year-olds to get them to the senior staff.

“Profitable the fit is necessary however I’ve a concern in my head the place if we will’t win it, let’s give the teenager ones some revel in, they will be round for a few years.

“We aren’t a excellent long run but, as a result of we are going to lose the skilled avid gamers. Have we sufficient to problem the highest groups, now not but. We need to stay making improvements to the U19s and U17s, to toughen them in order that they achieve a degree that they are in a position to play. A few of the ones avid gamers who [played today] don’t seem to be in a position to play, however the revel in is a part of the improvement. It is vital we all know that.

“They [England] are probably the most best groups on the planet, I am not fascinated about coming near that [third group] sport till we get again to the resort.”

McFadden: Gamers are completely gutted

Northern Eire defender Sarah McFadden talking to the BBC:

“Truly shut, we are gutted. Completely gutted. Within the first half of, we were given at them and did not capitalise, did not get a simple likelihood. We idea nowadays was once the day we would get a win in those championships.

“We have been so within the sport, we put such a lot into it within the first half of. We had other people within the converting room knackered at half-time however Austria have a staff of superstars, with avid gamers who play in the most efficient leagues on the planet We attempted to show the screw however were given stuck out.

“Those ladies are so fortunate, the longer term that they have got in entrance of them. To play in entrance of those superb enthusiasts, how can it now not can help you reach your attainable?”

What is subsequent?

Northern Eire entire their Euro 2022 workforce degree marketing campaign with a conflict in opposition to event favourites England at St Mary’s on Friday night time, kick-off 8pm.

Austria tackle Norway at Brighton’s Amex Stadium, additionally with an 8pm kick-off.