Why did Norway crash out at the group stages?

Norway were the fifth team to qualify for Euro 2022. England qualified automatically, by virtue of hosting the competition, while Germany and the Netherlands qualified on 23rd October, with Norway joining Denmark and Sweden in qualifying on October 27th. They qualified with room to spare, and hope were high for Norway.
When they announced their squad, they saw good odds on women’s euros betting. The likes of Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen were the standout players, but there’s a host of depth beyond the pair.

The Chelsea duo of Maren Mjelde – the national team’s captain – and Guro Reiten are both important figures, while Arsenal’s Frida Maanum is a talented presence in midfield. The United pair of Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Bøe Risa provided more top-level experience, while Barcelona’s Ingrid Syrstad Engen added more strength to the midfield.

However, it wasn’t to be for Norway. Drawn in a group with England, Austria, and Northern Ireland, it always looked likely that three teams would be competing for two spots, with Northern Ireland propping up the group.
Norway had beaten Northern Ireland home and away in qualifying, winning 6-0 on both occasions. They beat the Northern Irish side again in their first group game, albeit by a less impressive scoreline. After going in 3-0 up at half time, Northern Ireland pulled one back before Guro Reiten reestablished Norway’s three goal lead.
It was a win, but with Norway well regarded in tips on the European Championship Women, they would have been hoping for something more convincing.

What followed was far, far worse. They faced England in Brighton, and found themselves 2-0 down with 15 minutes gone, conceding twice in quick succession as a Georgia Stanway penalty was followed by a Lauren Hemp goal. Despite the quality in Norway’s ranks, they couldn’t mount a comeback, and were completely overwhelmed by Sarina Wiegman’s side. Ellen White scored a brace, and Beth Mead scored two herself. Norway found themselves 6-0 down at the break, and Alessia Russo made things worse, before Beth Mead claimed the match ball as she completed her hattrick with 10 minutes to go.

Norway hadn’t just lost, they had been completely overwhelmed. They were still in with a chance of qualifying, if they could beat Austria, but the damage was done, and they limped to a 1-0 defeat in their final game.
Looking back, it’s a surprise to many that Norway put up such a feeble performance, only managing to score against the group minnows. However, the makeup of their squad betrays their issues. It’s certainly true that they have talented individuals, and the likes of Hegerberg and Graham Hansen in particular would find a way into almost any team.

However, it’s further back that Norway’s problems can be found. Blessed with a host of talented midfielders, Martin Sjögren hasn’t been able to find a combination that suits the individuals at his disposal, and Norway’s ill-fitting midfield has been exposed throughout the tournament. Furthermore, while Norway have a talented team, it’s relatively front loaded. Most of their quality is found in attack and, although their defenders aren’t lacking in individual quality, they haven’t been able to come together and form a solid unit at the back.

These two weaknesses were picked off and exploited ruthlessly by England but, even playing a less dangerous side, Norway’s combination of disjointed structure and vulnerable defence are holding them back from being a team that can currently compete for top honours.