Norway leave it late

Cyprus open the scoring but are left empty-handed

Last updated: 16th October 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Norway leave it late

Brede Hangeland: Hauled Norway level

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Norway scored two late goals as they came from behind to beat Cyprus 3-1 and boost their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 1998.

The visitors trailed to a 42nd-minute goal from Efstathios Aloneftis, but the hosts could not hold out until half-time as Brede Hangeland quickly levelled.

Tarik Elyounoussi put the visitors in front 10 minutes from time with a penalty and substitute Joshua King made the points safe three minutes later.

The win moved Norway above Iceland and up to second place in Group E.

The hosts were first to threaten with Georgios Efrem's header bringing a fantastic parry from goalkeeper Rune Jarstein before his opposite number Tasos Kissas denied Tarik Elyounoussi from 12 yards.

Hangeland then met a John Arne Riise free-kick from the right, but saw his header come back off a post.

Back foot

The visitors were growing into the game and Alexander Soderlund had a shot parried by Kissas.

But, despite now being on the back foot, Cyprus took the lead in the 42nd minute as Aloneftis picked out the top corner from inside the area.

But Norway were level on the stroke of half-time as Soderlund laid the ball off to Hangeland, who finished low into the corner from six yards.

Cyprus continued to stand firm early in the second half before Norway finally completed their comeback in the 80th minute.

Elias Charalambous was penalised for a foul on King in the area and Elyounoussi stepped up to place the resulting spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

And King put the result beyond doubt three minutes later as he fired low into the net from 12 yards, Elyounoussi this time with the assist.

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