Category: Denmark women’s football team

ITV pundit Nadia Nadim exits studio mid-match after learning of mother’s death | World Cup 2022


ITV World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has revealed she had to leave the studio while on air after learning that her mother had died.

The Denmark international footballer wrote on Instagram that her mother, Hadima Nadim, 57, had been killed in a collision with a truck on her way home from the gym on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old was part of ITV’s coverage of Denmark’s 0-0 draw with Tunisia in Qatar but had to leave the studio before the final whistle.

Nadim, her four sisters and their mother fled Afghanistan when she was 11, having been in hiding for three years after her father Rabani, an army general, was executed by the Taliban in 2000.

The former Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain forward wrote: “Tuesday morning my Mother was killed by a truck. She was on her way back from the gym.

“Words cannot describe what I’m feeling. I have lost the most important person in my life and it happened so sudden and unexpected.

“She was only 57. She was a warrior who had fought for every inch of her life.

“She didn’t give me life once but twice, and everything I/we are is because of her.

“I have lost my home and I know nothing’s gonna ever feel the same. Life is unfair and I don’t understand why her and why this way. I love you and I will see you again.”

Nadim, who plays for National Women’s Soccer League club Racing Louisville FC in the US, added: “Her funeral is going to be soon … please come and show her the love, respect and prayers she deserves.”

After Nadim’s father’s death, Nadim’s mother sold all of their possessions to take a minivan to Karachi, southern Pakistan, where they waited two months for fake passports before taking a flight to Italy.

The family spent days hiding in a basement in Milan, then 50 hours in the back of a truck to reach what they were told was London, but turned out to be a refugee camp in rural Denmark, where Nadim discovered her love for playing football.

Matildas defeat Denmark to claim first win over top-20 nation in 12 months | Matildas


The Matildas have gained their best victory for a year, capping their European road trip with a 3-1 win against Denmark in Viborg.

Despite conceding a shock goal after just 47 seconds Australia turned the game with three second-half goals in the space of nine minutes.

It was their first win over a top-20 ranked side since beating Brazil in Sydney last October, and arguably their most impressive since defeating Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics.

Two goals from Caitlin Foord sandwiched a stunning strike from Katrina Gorry to deliver the perfect boost before the home double-header against Sweden and Thailand next month.

“That feels very good,” said the Arsenal striker. “We’ve been building and the results haven’t fallen our way. To get the win against South Africa and tonight is huge for us and for our confidence. I am proud of the way we bounced back and turned the game around.”

A week ago, Tony Gustavsson had been under pressure. Two wins and seven goals later the narrative has changed and the coach will hope to keep the momentum swing going all the way to the World Cup.

The Swede made one change from the XI that defeated South Africa 4-1 in London on Saturday.

Sam Kerr, recovered after illness, replaced Mary Fowler with Cortnee Vine keeping her place after her two goals. Vine justified her selection with another lively outing.

Sam Kerr goes for a header under pressure from Rikke Sevecke.
Sam Kerr goes for a header under pressure from Rikke Sevecke. Photograph: Johnny Pedersen/EPA

The Danes were without US-based Nadia Nadim while Kerr’s Chelsea colleague Pernille Harder was only fit enough for a spell off the bench, but Australia had plenty of absentees of their own, including five cap centurions.

That, though, was no excuse for Denmark’s flying start, which came after Steph Catley was overloaded on the left.

She was unable to intercept as Janni Thomsen and Sofie Bredgaard exchanged passes before the former fizzed a low cross that was swept past Teagan Micah by the late-arriving Everton midfielder Karen Holmgaard.

“It was less than ideal start but the belief in this group is strong and we felt calm on the bench,” said assistant coach Mel Andreatta. “We’re pleased we struck to our principles, had a great second half and got the win.”

Within a minute Australia could have levelled. Catley burst down the left flank but Kerr shinned her cross wide from 10 yards out.

The half continued to ebb and flow. Foord and Vine tested Lene Christensen in the Danish goal while at the other end Kerr had to hack off the line after a corner caused chaos. A deflected Bredgaard shot then looped over Rosengard teammate Micah and struck the junction of bar and upright.

Australia took control in the second period and after two Kerr headers brought saves from Christensen they gained a deserved, if fortunate 66th-minute equaliser.

Receiving a pass from Hayley Raso on the right, Foord cut inside then took a shot that deflected off the leg of Simone Boye Sorensen and in.

Eight minutes later, substitute Alex Chidiac stole possession, Gorry seized on the loose ball, looked up, and sent a dipping shot over Christensen from nearly 30 yards out.

Almost from the restart Australia struck again to settle the match. Kyra Cooney-Cross drove forward before finding Foord.

In one trademark movement, she turned and shot over the stranded Christensen to bring up her quarter-century of international goals.

Australia subsequently managed the game expertly to secure their first victory away to a European team on their home soil since beating France in Angers in 2013.