Norway open Women’s Euros account by snatching victory against hosts Switzerland

Julia Stierl’s second-half own goal gifted Norway a barely-deserved 2-1 win against hosts Switzerland in their opening European Women’s Championship match in Basel.

Switzerland defender Stierl turned the ball into her own net four minutes after Norway captain Ada Hegerberg’s superb header had cancelled out Nadine Riesen’s first-half opener for the Swiss in front of a 34,063 crowd at St Jakob-Park.

Hegerberg missed a second-half penalty for Norway, who had lost six of their previous seven matches at the Euros and were outplayed by the hosts for most of the match.

Switzerland midfielder Geraldine Reuteler’s curling effort struck the crossbar before Pia Sundhage’s side took a deserved 25th-minute lead through wing-back Riesen, who pounced on a loose ball to fire low in off a post.

Lacklustre Norway continued to back off their opponents and Reuteler lashed a cut-back off target as half-time approached.

Norway failed to improve after the restart, but captain Hegerberg hauled her side back into the match with a towering 54th-minute header from a corner – her 50th international goal.

The Norwegians then turned the game on its head four minutes later when Switzerland centre-back Stierli diverted the ball into her own net as she attempted to cut out Caroline Graham Hansen’s low cross.

Switzerland goalkeeper Livia Peng denied Hegerberg in a one-on-one as a transformed Norway looked to increase their lead.

They were gifted another golden chance when Reuteler handled from a corner, but Hegerberg dragged her spot kick wide.

Switzerland pressed for an equaliser and in the final minute Iman Beney’s goal-bound effort was blocked by Ingrid Engen.