Spain on Sunday secured their berth at the Euro Cup 2024 when they beat Norway 1-0 at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway. Gavi scored the only goal of the match. Norway on the other hand missed out on direct qualification for Euros with the loss as Spain’s win ensured the qualification of Scotland as the second team of Group A.
Hosts Norway came into the game with maximum points from their last three qualifiers. But their winless three-game run to open the campaign meant their chances of finishing in the top two of Group A were hanging in the balance. Odegaard and co. needed a win here to keep their hopes alive of making it to a European Championships for the first time since 2000. Stale Solbakken made three changes from the 4-0 win at Cyprus on Thursday. Berg and Bobb came in for Ola Solbakken and Sorloth, while Strandberg replaced Ajer in the back four.
Spain had lost just one of their five games in Group A to leave them second before the game. La Roja were three points behind leaders Scotland but with a game in hand and a far superior goal difference. A win here would have sealed La Roja’s place at Euro 2024 in Germany next year. Luis de la Fuente went with a trio of alterations like his Norway counterpart from his team’s last outing, a 2-0 win against Scotland. Fabian Ruiz and Fati were preferred to Merino and Oyarzabal while Garcia replaced the injured Alejandro Balde in defence.
Spain saw plenty of the ball in the first half but were toothless in the final third. Morata scored a goal but VAR ruled it out for offside. Norway had a few breaks in the first 45 too. Haaland had two opportunities to score, but Spain handled the Norwegian striker well.
Spain scored early in the second half to take the lead through Barcelona ace Gavi. The ball fell kindly for Gavi amid a scuffle in the Norway penalty box. Gavi placed the ball into the back of the net with ease, beating the diving goalkeeper.
Spain vs Norway XI
Spain XI – Unai Simon; Daniel Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Fran Garcia; Gavi, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, Ansu Fati.
Norway XI – Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Stefan Strandberg, Leo Ostigard, Birger Meling; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge; Oscar Bobb, Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes; Erling Haaland.
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