Equatorial Guinea succumbs to late strike to Norway

Equatorial Guinea surrendered a late goal to lose to Norway in their opening Group D game at the ongoing Fifa Womens World Cup in Germany on Wednesday.

The 2008 African champions finally broke down to an 84th minute striker from Emelie Haavi after Norway had hit the wood work thrice in the game.

The Nzalang Nacional had a fare share of their own chances but failed to capitalise with captain Anonman being the main culprit.

In front of almost 13,000 fans, the Norwegians’ first chance came in the second minute as Haavi shot wide.

Equatorial Guinea needed some time to get into the match and relied on long-range efforts, like Anonman’s 40-yard blast and Jurama’s attempt from a bit closer after 17 minutes.

The Africans then began to dominate and on 20 minutes, Dulcia was through on goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth but Haavi made a vital last-gasp interception.

Hjelmseth faced a barrage of shots – most of them from long range – and successfully cleared them all away.

Equatorial Guinea had one final chance before the break as Anonman got past Nora Holstad Berge for a dash at Hjelmseth, but the keeper won the encounter.

After the break, Anonman continued her excellent match, breezing past four women before chipping a shot that went just wide of the post after 53 minutes.

The back-and-forth went on as Norway’s Mykjaland hit the outside of the right post in the 55th minute.

The Norwegians found the framework again just two minutes later with Herlovsen hitting the left post before the ball was pushed out in a scramble.

Anonman broke through again in the 71st minute but again shot wide of the far right post and then she wasted another one-on-one situation with Hjelmseth just seconds later.

Norway finally broke through when Leni Larsen Kaurin crossed from the right side to Haavi, who shot into an empty net after the Africans failed to clear.