Norway vs Scotland. European Championship Qualifying Group A.
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Report as Scotland maintain their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying; Erling Haaland's penalty looked to be sending Norway to victory; but two goals in two minutes from Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean secured huge win; Scotland stay top of Group A and move eight points clear of Norway
Saturday 17 June 2023 20:55, UK
Scotland scored two goals in two minutes to complete a stunning late turnaround as they maintained their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo.
Scotland produced a solid defensive performance in the blistering heat of Norway's capital, but they were finally undone when Erling Haaland, fresh from Man City's celebrations after winning the treble, was pulled down in the penalty area by Ryan Porteous before picking himself up and scoring from the spot (61).
Norway looked to be on course for what would have been an important win, but Scotland turned the game on its head in sensational fashion with two goals in two minutes.
Lyndon Dykes capitalised on some hesitancy in the Norway defence to level before Kenny McLean slotted home in the 89th minute to make it 2-1 and spark wild Scotland celebrations.
The victory sees Steve Clarke's side make it three wins from three to move eight points clear of Norway, who were left bottom of Group A, with five games remaining ahead of their clash with Georgia at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Scotland captain Andrew Robertson insists his side now have to qualify for next summer's tournament in Germany.
He said: "The lads who came off the bench did so well. Going behind is difficult, but we knew this was the next step in our improvement.
"It was trying to get the balance right. The team spirit is second to none. To create that in international football is unique.
"We couldn't have started this campaign better. We have to qualify now."
The best chance of the first half fell to Norway forward Alexander Sorloth, who sent a free header from eight yards straight at Angus Gunn.
Scotland struggled to retain possession in the opening 20 minutes before settling down somewhat.
Andy Robertson produced two good runs and crosses but they did not lead to anything and John McGinn was closed down quickly after getting a sight of goal following Ryan Christie's cross.
Clarke's side were employing a flat back five out of possession and trying to keep a high line. The only time Haaland got the ball in a decent position in the first half, Callum McGregor quickly tracked back to make a penalty-box tackle.
The striker might have had a far better chance if he had not been hauled down by Jack Hendry while beginning a chase for a ball over the top. Hendry was the last defender but only received a yellow card given the foul was on the halfway line.
The Slovenian referee was a lot harsher in handing bookings to McGinn and Kieran Tierney either side of half-time.
Ola Solbakken and McGinn saw decent long-range shots saved early in the second half before Hendry got away with some penalty-box grappling with Haaland, although the striker did not appeal unlike some of his team-mates.
However, he did not have long to wait for a spot-kick. Porteous grabbed the striker's shirt as he looked set to attack Sorloth's cross and the referee immediately pointed to the spot when Haaland went down.
Porteous in return received a yellow card which rules him out of Tuesday's visit of Georgia.
Gunn dived the right way and came close but was beaten by the power of the strike from Haaland, who had only scored once in his previous eight club matches but took his tally for the season for club and country to 59.
Scotland soon lost Tierney to injury with Liam Cooper entering the fray and they were making no inroads into Norway's lead before Clarke made a triple switch in the 79th minute and moved to a back four. McLean, Stuart Armstrong and Billy Gilmour came on.
Haaland went off in the 84th minute and Scotland soon stunned the hosts and delighted their travelling fans with their late double whammy.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke:
"Sometimes, when it's your moment you just have to ride the wave. The boys believe in themselves and kept going.
"Obviously, we were disappointed to lose the goal, but the reaction to that was good. I was reasonably pleased with what they did before that.
"The lads have dug themselves out of a tight corner and we stay top of the group, which is nice."
Scotland's match-winner Kenny McLean:
"It's quite hard to put into words just now. It's a good feeling, especially being the winner. The lads did so much, and we made the changes and got some momentum after the first goal.
"Goals change games and they did for us. We were hanging in at the end. The lads who played 90 minutes out there, I don't know how they did it. I was sat in the dugout sweating. Just watching it I was knackered.
"We've worked so hard over the last few weeks, results like this make it worthwhile. We're in a decent position, but we want to be in an even better position.
"The character to come back from that is outstanding. I think we can still do better with the ball. But listen, I'll take that all day."
Former Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall on Sky Sports News:
"It's a fantastic start to qualifying. Looking at the table it makes for great reading.
"They've played and beaten Spain and also won in Norway. Hampden Park will be bouncing on Tuesday night as Scotland look to back this result up against Georgia.
"A win on Tuesday would put Scotland in a fantastic position to qualify. They'd be disappointed not to qualify from that position.
"It's a huge game against Georgia now.
"The form they are in now is great. They are eight points ahead of Norway with five games to go, and Norway still have to come to Glasgow.
"That's the last game of the campaign but hopefully it is done and dusted by then.
"If they can go and win the next two games against Georgia and Cyprus then I see no reason why we won't be heading to Euro 2024."
Norway captain Martin Odegaard:
"It's hard to sum up. We had the lead with a few minutes to go, what happened after that shouldn't happen.
"It's a tough one to take. It's going to be very difficult now [to qualify], we have to be honest. We have to stick together and take it from there.
"I didn't think Scotland played a great game, to be honest. But they have a great spirit and fight to the end, credit to them."
Scotland's next Euro 2024 qualifier is against Georgia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Up next for Norway is another home game against Cyprus, also on Tuesday; kick-off 7.45pm.
