The Euro 2022 group stage has come to a conclusion, and the quarter-finals are on the horizon.A number of mouthwatering encounters will be played in the coming days, with England set to come up against Spain, and France scheduled to take on defending champions Netherlands.Before all focus turns to the knockouts, GiveMeSport Women looks back on the group stage and ranks the top five goals. From long-range efforts to fancy footwork, this list has it all.
5) Delphine Cascarino, France vs Italy
France blew Italy away in their opening match of Group D, romping to a 5-1 victory. All five goals came in the first-half, with Cascarino’s long-range effort the pick of the bunch.
The Lyon star received the ball from Sakina Karchaoui at the edge of the penalty box, before whipping it round Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.
4) Alessia Russo, England vs Northern Ireland
Russo had a lot to prove when she came on as a second-half substitute during England’s 5-0 victory against Northern Ireland.
Battling for a place in the starting line-up, she would have impressed manager Sarina Wiegman with two sublime goals.
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The first was a header, but the second drew comparisons to Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp. Russo received the ball from Manchester United teammate Ella Toone, before pulling off an exquisite turn and slotting it past Jackie Burns.
3) Hanna Bennison, Sweden vs Switzerland
Bennison came to Sweden’s rescue with a fantastic strike against Switzerland. It ended up being the winning goal as her side triumphed 2-1.
The ball came out to the 19-year-old at the edge of the box, and despite being at an awkward angle, she managed to swing it across her body and into the far corner of the goal.
2) Beth Mead, England vs Norway
Mead was one of the standout players in the group stage as England scored 14 goals and conceded none across their three matches.
The Arsenal star was responsible for five of the goals, and set up three more. The best pick of the bunch was her second during England’s 8-0 rout against Norway.
Mead received the ball outside of the penalty box from Fran Kirby, weaving past four Norwegian defenders before coolly slotting it into the back of the net.
1) Danielle van de Donk, Netherlands vs Portugal
GiveMeSport Women’s favourite goal of the group stage was Van de Donk’s screamer against Portugal.
The Netherlands were made to battle against a resilient Portuguese side, who equalised every time the Dutch scored.
It took a moment of magic to beat them, provided by Van de Donk. The Lyon attacker got the ball on the edge of the box, turned, took a touch, and buried it in the top right-hand corner of the goal.
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