ENGLAND’S comprehensive eight-goal mauling of Norway on Monday evening wasn’t merely a statement of intent to their Euro rivals. It was, in the best and purest way, showing off.

It was a remarkable performance and a remarkable result that amounted to an exhibition of who they are right now, and what they are hard-wired to achieve across ninety minutes. Understandably, hat-trick heroine Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp and the best number nine in the world on her day, Ellen White took the lionesses’ share of the credit because forwards tend to when such a ludicrous score is racked up, but in midfield Keira Walsh was everywhere and everything to this victory, stymying what passed for Norway’s ambition at all turns. On the rare occasions the usually brilliant Caroline Graham Hansen did manage to grab a few seconds of possession a well-drilled back-line coped with her as if she was Caroline of Brunswick, or Graham Norton, or Alan Hansen as is today. Ada Hegerberg meanwhile was anonymous; a rumour of danger at most.

What bodes most brightly for England as they proceed to the quarter-finals, having topped Group A, is that this wasn’t simply a swashbuckling tour de force of attacking football, propelled by a noisy Amex crowd. They also meaningfully nullified their opponents to nothing.

And that matters hugely because this wasn’t a poor Norwegian side that England decimated. They are anything but, being two-time European champions and ranked 11^th in the world, yet as soon as the third went in you just knew this was going to be a landslide.  “We want to do better in the final third and that’s about decision-making, about connection, about scanning the situation and then being ruthless.” That’s what coach Sarina Wiegman said ahead of a tricky test against Germany last February. A couple of games earlier, her team had beaten Latvia 20-0.

England have scored three inside 16 mins in their last two games but for all their prolificacy it’s a trend that surely can’t continue. Back no goals between 0.00 and 14.59 at 16/25.

A couple of hours before this complete, ruthless, and mightily impressive display, Northern Ireland were downed by Austria, a second loss that means any faint hopes of playing beyond the group stages are now over.

Assessing the Green and White’s output in Euro 2022 without any sentimentality leads to harsh conclusions so let’s include some leeway as they absolutely warrant that having already attained their objective against all odds by qualifying for the tournament.

In such situations it is not unknown for teams to play without fear, with little to lose, but sadly Kenny Shiel’s side have been saddled with nerves throughout, and when coupled with a shortage of genuine quality it’s left them outclassed. “We have reached this level too soon,” Shiels said post-match after Austria had easily by-passed them and that seems a fair way to view it. Barring a few set-pieces, Northern Ireland have seldom been proficient or cohesive up front so far this summer, though losing Simone Magill to injury has obviously not helped.

So, all things considered, it instinctively feels like the 29/1 outsiders could be on the wrong end of a hammering this Friday at St Marys, to be Norwayed and then some. After all, Northern Ireland lost 4-1 to the Norwegians in their opening fixture and now face the team who reversed that narrative twice-over and without concession, a team that boasts a phenomenal record since Wiegman took charge last September, winning 14 and drawing twice from their commitments, scoring 93 goals in the process, and conceding only three times. When broken down it’s a return that stupefies further, with England scoring every 15.4 minutes in their last 16 matches. They have conceded every eight hours.

Over 3.5 goals for England, no to both teams scoring, and Lauren Hemp to score anytime offers up 29/10 as a bet builder.

Northern Ireland for their part, will be hoping for the odd set-piece to trouble Mary Earps in nets.

It’s going to be another record-breaking landslide then, right? That’s what the math tells us.

Wrong. Or rather, not quite. For while England should of course be backed to prevail and accrue a maximum points haul, what we sometimes see in major tournaments is a formula in the final group game that is distinctly different to other fixtures.

For one thing, it is hoped that Lauren Wade and co won’t be so inhibited this time out, because the worst that could have happened to them already has. Now there is only pride to play for and typically nerves don’t get a look-in when that is all left at stake. It may be a low bar but Northern Ireland will be hellbent on keeping the score down to a minimum, to return home with their heads held high.

Even so, class may tell late on in this one. Over 2.5 goals in the second half is good value at 6/5

As for England, their job is done so don’t be surprised if Wiegman makes some changes for Southampton, though a vastly altered line-up is doubtful. In 2017, on route to winning the Euros with the Netherlands, the 52-year-old coach had a similar dilemma with her team having won their first two group games. With little riding on the third and final match she made just two changes, both at the back.

Here we can expect Ella Toone to feature, with Fran Kirby afforded some recovery time after barely playing in recent months.  Very possibly too, Manchester United’s Alessio Russo could start and that intrigues after she came off the bench to notch against Norway. The powerful forward scored nine in the WSL last term, five of which were headers.

Russo is 4/6 to score anytime this Friday.