EURO 2022: It's a second defeat for Northern Ireland as they lose to Austria

It leaves them bottom of Group A.

Northern Ireland players after Austria's Katharina Schiechtl scores
Author: James GouldPublished 11th Jul 2022

Northern Ireland have suffered a second defeat in the Women's Euros at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton.

They fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Austria which leaves them bottom of Group A.

The game started with the Austrians dominating possession, making it hard for the Green and White Army to get out of their own half.

Then on the 19 minute mark, the deadlock was broken.

Katharina Schiechtl scored from close range after she slotted home Sarah Puntigam's deflected free-kick to give Austria the lead in their second Group A match.

The goal seemed to settle Northern Ireland and all of a sudden it looked like we had a game on our hands.

Kirsty McGuinness looked the most dangerous for Northern Ireland, as her direct runs and crosses caused the Austria defence problems.

Kenny Shields side finished the half the strongest and went in at the break with their confidence high.

As the second half resumed, the sun shone on the pitch at St Mary's but the Northern Ireland team didn't seem to be affected by the extreme heat.

They held the Austrians off and ensured the floodgates didn't open.

With two minutes to go, Katharina Naschenweng finished off Northern Ireland as she hit a left footed shot from a difficult angle to the centre of the goal.

It leaves Northern Ireland on the brink of an early exit from Euro 2022 possibly before they take on England later this week.

Northern Ireland: Jacqueline Burns (GK), Rebecca McKenna (Magee '73), Julie Nelson ( McDaniel '85), Sarah Robson, Demi Vance, Rachel Furness (Andrews '79), Marissa Callaghan (McGuinness '85) , Chloe McCarron, Rebecca Holloway, Lauren Wade, Kirsty McGuinness (Wilson '80)

Austria: Manuela Zinsberger (GK), Katharina Schiechtl, Carina Wenninger, Viktoria Schnaderbeck ( Georgieva '45), Verena Hanshaw, Sarah Puntigam, Julia Hickelsberger-Fuller ( Naschenweng 73'), Sarah Zadrazil, Marie Hobinger ( Feiersinger '45), Barbara Dunst, Nicole Bila (Makas '85)