Report: England WU23s 1-0 Norway

England women’s under-23s beat Norway by 1-0 after an assured performance at the Joie Stadium in the WU23 European Competition.

Isobel Goodwin was the match winner with a first-half header as the Young Lionesses collected their first win of the 2025-26 campaign to tee-up Monday’s test against the USA  at the Wham Stadium in Accrington.

It was a stunning show of strength from Emma Coates’ Young Lionesses, who were made to work for the win across the game but were certainly worthy winners.

And it was England who made the initial Manchester inroads, as Keira Barry was spotted in space, shooting wide within the opening minutes.

On no less than 20 minutes, Coates’ team continued to show their capability in attack, this time going close through teenager Erica Meg Parkinson, who also had a couple of opportunities from distance.

The momentum was going back and forwards as both teams looked for the opener, but Goodwin arrived on time to shade it in the Young Lionesses’ favour. Jess Simpson’s reverse ball got England going, before Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s cross from the left-hand channel was recycled back into the number nine by a combination of Barry and Mari Ward, before Goodwin headed firmly home to make it 1-0.

With the lead secured, the Young Lionesses could afford to let the tempo drop down a touch and focus on control without the need to push for a goal, and the England backline remained equally stubborn.

And for a while, there remained little to add to the early chances. Maisie Symonds was made to wait until 40 minutes to see the next attempt on goal, but Thiril Erichsen saved closely in the Norwegian net.

That theme continued, and it needed something special to double the England advantage, which nearly came when Parkinson shot low from distance.

The Young Lionesses summoned up another response as Goodwin and Parkinson both went close within minutes of the restart, but Erichsen was there again to deny the England pairing.

But for all of their good play and control of the game, clear chances were scarce and it was only when Barry fired wide in stoppage time that England came close to adding a second.

Despite being restricted to shooting from distance at one end, the Young Lionesses continued to defend with discipline in a low block to keep the visitors at bay and earn their victory.

England: 1 Katie Cox (Aberdeen, on loan from Chelsea), 2 Mari Ward (Bristol City), 3 Jess Simpson (Southampton, on loan from Manchester United), 4 Ruby Mace (Everton) (c), 5 Gracie Prior (Manchester City), 6 Teyah Goldie (London City Lionesses), 7 Keira Barry (Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United), 8 Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), 9 Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses), 10 Erica Meg Parkinson (Valadares Gaia), 11 Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City)

Substitutions: 15 Olivia McLoughlin (Leicester City) for Symonds, 20 Evie Rabjohn (Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United) for Goldie 63’, 12 Sarah Brasero (West Ham) for Lloyd-Smith 72, 23 Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea) for Simpson 72’, 14 Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur) for Goodwin 78’

Substitutions not used: 13 Faye Kirby (Liverpool), 16 Hannah Silcock (Liverpool), 17 Mia Enderby (Liverpool), 18 Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa), 19 Cerys Brown (London City Lionesses), 21 Lexi Potter (Chelsea), 22 Natalia Negri (Ipswich Town)

Goals: Goodwin 26’

Head coach: Emma Coates