Internationals | Gaupset nets stoppage time winner, Vinberg provides assist

Signe Gaupset struck a stoppage time winner for Norway to beat Slovenia 3-2 in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday evening.

In a topsy-turvy game at Mestni Stadio in Ptuji, Slovenia, the home side fought back twice in the contest and they looked set to hold on to an important draw in their qualifying group but, in the second minute of stoppage time, our midfielder stepped up with a decisive goal.

With a free-kick delivered from the far right, just inside their half, Signe reacted quickest to the loose ball inside the box to slot home into the bottom corner - sparking jubilant celebration between her and her team-mates.

The 20-year-old went on to make way in the fifth minute of stoppage time, while Julie Blakstad also started the game but was an early substitute in the first half of the game.

That result continues to solidify Norway’s spot second in the group with nine points from four games so far as they edge closer to an automatic qualification spot at next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Elsewhere, Matilda Vinberg continued her fine form in goal contributions, providing the assist the only goal in the contest as Sweden secured a 1-0 win at home to Serbia.

Earning a start for her nation, Tilly dropped slightly deeper to receive the ball in midfield and played a lovely, weighted pass through the Serbia defence and into the feet of Blackstenius just inside the area who took one touch before slotting home the opener five minutes into the second half.

Our young forward went on to record the only other shot on target in the second period before being replaced five minutes from time at Strawberry Arena in Solna. Amanda Nilden was an unused substitute.

Also in Group One in League A, Olivia Holdt’s Denmark were held to a goalless draw by Italy earlier in the afternoon. Oli remained on the substitute’s bench as her nation maintained an unbeaten start to the qualifying campaign.

Sweden move on to seven points, second in the group, ahead of their final two qualifiers next month against the Danes - who currently occupy top spot - and Italy as they search for an automatic qualification spot.

Elsewhere in League A, Group Two, Lize Kop remained an unused substitute for the Netherlands as they recorded an important 1-1 draw with France to remain unbeaten in their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying group.

In Group Three of League B of the FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers, Olga Ahtinen's Finland made it three wins on the bounce in their group with a narrow 1-0 victory over Latvia.

Our midfielder was named in the starting XI for her nation and completed the full match as Lotta Lindstrom's second half strike proved to be the difference in the contest. 

Toko Koga and Maika both featured for Japan in the early hours of the morning as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to USA in the third and final set of international friendlies this month. Toko started and completed 59 minutes while Maika was introduced at the start of the second half.