In one of the most bizarre endings in football history, the final seconds of a women’s youth international match were replayed five days later – just hours after both teams involved had played a subsequent European Championship qualifying game on Thursday.
On Saturday, England had trailed 2-1 against Norway six minutes into injury-time before being awarded a penalty.
The spot-kick was converted by Leah Williamson but was deemed illegal by German referee Marija Kurtes for an England player encroaching in the box before it was taken.
Kurtes incorrectly awarded a free-kick to Norway rather than for the penalty to be retaken, and blew the final whistle 16 seconds later.
After an appeal by England’s Football Association, governing body UEFA ordered the match – played in Northern Ireland – to be resumed five days later, in the 96th minute, with Williamson retaking the penalty kick.
Kurtes would not be involved, having been sent home for her mistake.
Before the denouement could reached, England had to play Switzerland in Belfast earlier Thursday while Norway lined up against Northern Ireland.
The Scandinavian side thrashed the host nation 8-1, while Williamson netted another penalty as her team won 3-1 – meaning she had to again be successful from the spot to earn England a place in July’s eight-nation finals in Israel.
The 18-year-old – who scored two penalties against Northern Ireland on Sunday – made no mistake as she earned a draw that sent both nations through.
England topped Group Four, while Norway qualified as the best of the runners-up.
