EURO2024Q: Norway suffer another blow, Haaland's goal not enough for a point

Erling Haaland is undoubtedly among the best goal scorers of today, but he, like many other aces of world renown, struggles when it comes to playing for the national team.

In the qualifiers for the World Cup in Qatar, Norway was left behind the Netherlands and Turkey, while in the fight for placement at EURO 2024 in Germany, they could stay behind Scotland and Spain. There is still a lot to play for, but after losing at home to Scotland 1-2, the situation for the Scandinavians is quite bad.

In the duels against Spain, Georgia and Scotland, only one point was won, and Haaland and the team have as many as eight less than the Highlanders who are at maximum of nine points, and two less than Spain, which also has a match less.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Georgia, Norway needed a win over Scotland tonight. In the first two rounds, the coach Stale Solbakken was deprived of the help of Erling Haaland, however, even his return and goal against the Scots from the penalty spot in the 61st minute for a 1-0 lead (from a penalty that he forced himself) were not enough. The Scots managed to turn it around with goals from Lyndon Dykes in the 87th and Kenny McLean in the 89th.

Given that they play against Georgia at home in three days, and in September as guests in Cyprus, the Scots could secure one of the first two places in the group, worthy of qualifying for the European Championship in Germany, even before the October duel with Spain. The Norwegians have a theoretical chance and hope that the Spaniards could miraculously fail in these qualifications.

EURO 2024

Qualifiers - Round 3

Saturday

GROUP A

Norway - Scotland 1-2 (0-0)

/Haaland 61 pen - Dykes 87, McLean 89/

Cyprus - Georgia 1-2 (1-1)

/Pittas 39 pen - Mikautadze 31, Davitashvili 84/