The Norwegians failed to score in any of their three matches at the previous Women’s European Championship tournament in 2017 but more than made up for this at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England tonight.

A powerful low shot from Julie Blakstad put Norway into the lead in the tenth minute after she was set up by Julie Reiten.

Three minutes later Northern Ireland gave the ball away inside their own half and were punished as Ada Hegerberg set up Frida Maanum to make it 2-0.

At this point Northern Ireland were probably fearing a similar scoreline to the sides two meetings in qualifying, both of which Norway won 6-0.

A penalty scored by Caroline Graham Hansen, given after a handball by Nadine Caldwell, made it 3-0 to Norway on the half hour.

The debutants had something to smile about after the break, as Julie Nelson took advantage of a lapse in concentration at the back by Norway, heading in Rachel Furness’s cross to make it 3-1.

A clever free kick in the 54^th minute from Guro Reiten made it 4-1 to Norway and through a combination of poor finishing by the Norwegians and committed defence from Northern Ireland the score stayed respectable.

The victory puts Norway top of the group on goal difference from hosts England with the two sides scheduled to meet in the next round of group fixtures on Monday (July 12).

Action in Group B is scheduled to begin tomorrow, with Spain taking on Finland in Milton Keynes and Germany facing Denmark in London.