SION: A late solo strike by Norway forward Caroline Graham Hansen secured a 2-1 victory against Finland in the Women’s European Championship, as the twice champions qualified for the quarter-finals.

Eva Nystrom’s own goal put Norway ahead after three minutes as Caroline Graham Hansen’s cross into the goalmouth hit the Finland defender and slid into the net.

The Norwegians were unlucky not to score again when they hit the woodwork twice within a minute, Ingrid Syrstad Engen’s close-range header striking the crossbar before Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen tipped Vilde Boe Risa’s corner onto the post.

Finland equalised in the 32nd minute when midfielder Oona Siren found forward Oona Sevenius with a precise through ball. Sevenius hammered a left-foot shot into the top right corner to score her first international goal for over a year.

Graham Hansen stepped up to seal the win in the 84th minute, fooling two defenders with quick dribbling as she moved in from the right and dispatched a shot in off the far post.

“When she performs like she did for that goal, not many people are able to do that. Getting her in the most amount of one-on-one situations is something we want,” Syrstad Engen told newspaper VG.

Norway, who beat Switzerland in their opening game, had a place in the quarter-finals confirmed after the hosts beat Iceland 2-0 later on Sunday to keep Swiss hopes alive.

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