Scotland’s successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign ended with a thrilling draw as Mohamed Elyounoussi’s late equaliser earned Norway a point at Hampden.
Steve Clarke’s side had already secured their place in Germany next summer but had to settle for second place in Group A, with Spain, as expected, overcoming Georgia to win the section.
The Scots twice came from behind in the first half, with sloppily-conceded goals scored by Aron Donnum and Jorgen Larsen cancelled out by John McGinn’s penalty and Leo Ostigard’s own goal.
Stuart Armstrong’s strike looked to have earned another win in front of a jubilant Tartan Army, before former Celtic winger Elyounoussi capitalised on a wonderful, floated ball to level late on.
Scotland now await the Euro 2024 draw next month, for which they will be among the third pot of seeds.
With key players missing, this was an opportunity for squad players to impress. Scotland started with a back four but, with the likes of Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson unavailable, they looked exposed, particularly in the first half.
Norway capitalised when the impressive Oscar Bobb caused havoc, Larsen outmuscled the defence and Donnum stroked home the loose ball via a deflection off Nathan Patterson and a post.
The response was swift in front of a party-mode Tartan Army, determined to celebrate their passage to Germany.
After McGinn was caught on the edge of the box, the free-kick was half-cleared but a follow-up shot struck Donnum’s arm and McGinn netted his 18th international goal from the penalty spot.
His contribution has been overshadowed in this campaign by the exploits of Scott McTominay, but the ovation the Aston Villa midfielder received when substituted said it all as he moved to sixth on Scotland’s all-time goalscoring list alongside Kenny Miller.
Scotland were caught again, though, when they failed to defend a ball from the right and Larsen nipped in front of the despairing Clark to bundle home. Again, the defending looked suspect.
To their credit, Clarke’s side responded once again when Kenny MacLean flicked on McTominay’s corner and the ball rebounded off Ostigard and over the line.
Scotland side exerted more control after half-time and Armstrong looked to have secured victory with a fine finish after an excellent exchange with McGinn.
Norway would not be denied though as Julian Ryerson’s dink caught Clark out and Elyounoussi made sure with a neat back-post header to offer small consolation for their failure to qualify directly.
Player of the match – Oscar Bobb (Norway)
Room for improvement but time to celebrate – analysis
Qualification and the absence of key players presented the opportunity for some more peripheral Scotland figures to showcase their Euro 2024 credentials.
There seemed a real determination to sign off this campaign in style and that led to a game that was far more open than you’d expect.
Armstrong was one who stood out with a quality performance that showed his value. Jacob Brown struggled at times but increasingly got involved as his confidence grew. Whether that was enough we shall see.
Defensively, though, there were questions to answer. With Angus Gunn, Tierney, Robertson and Aaron Hickey all injured, Scotland looked exposed for both goals.
There’s depth there but too many goals have been conceded of late, something that will undoubtedly be analysed going forward in terms of formation and personnel.
There’s clearly room for improvement, but the bottom line is this has been a wonderful qualifying campaign with the hard work done early and qualification for back-to-back Euros secured in style.
The Hampden after-party was electric. This result didn’t really matter. Scotland have delivered and can look forward to another major tournament with hope of making an impression.
What they said
Scotland captain John McGinn on Viaplay: “The main thing is we’re going to Germany. There was a lot said about Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard missing, but we had a lot missing tonight too.
“Qualifying the last time was incredible. This time has been strange. It’s not like us to qualify early.”
Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong on Viaplay: “It was nice to show our appreciation for the fans. It was an amazing atmosphere, every time we play here it’s so special.
“We were unlucky not to finish with the win but we can be really proud of what we’ve done so far. We need to appreciate and enjoy these big moments. We want to make it something more consistent.
“Every boy’s dream is to play for Scotland at a major tournament. The one a few years back was different because of Covid. To experience it with the full amount of fans there is everyone’s dream.”
Match stats
- Scotland have conceded more than twice in five consecutive internationals for the first time since a run of seven from May 1960 to April 1961.
- Not since a 5-3 win over Wales in May 1969 had Scotland both scored and conceded three goals in a game.
- Scotland have scored more than three goals in three (or more) different matches in a single qualifying campaign for the first time since doing so in qualifying for Euro 2008 (also three matches).
- After winning five consecutive matches across all competitions, Scotland have since failed to win any of their last five (D2 L3) – their longest winless run since March 2021 (D3 L2).
- Donnum’s goal (02:45) was both Norway’s earliest goal scored and Scotland’s earliest goal conceded in this campaign.
- This was the first time Scotland both scored and conceded two or more goals in the first half of any match since September 2015, in a Euro qualifier against Germany.
- Larsen has been directly involved in six goals in his last five appearances for Norway (3 goals, 3 assists); he had neither a goal nor an assist in his first six senior international appearances for the nation beforehand.
Line-ups
Scotland
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Clark
- 22Patterson
- 13Hendry
- 16McKennaBooked at 79mins
- 3Taylor
- 4McTominay
- 8McGregorSubstituted forShanklandat 89′minutes
- 17S ArmstrongSubstituted forChristieat 71′minutes
- 7McGinnSubstituted forJackat 79′minutes
- 23McLeanSubstituted forFergusonat 70′minutes
- 18BrownSubstituted forDykesat 70′minutes
Substitutes
- 1McCrorie
- 2Ralston
- 5Doig
- 6Cooper
- 9Dykes
- 10Shankland
- 11Christie
- 12Kelly
- 14Gilmour
- 15Porteous
- 19Ferguson
- 20Jack
Norway
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Selvik
- 14Ryerson
- 3AjerBooked at 10mins
- 15Østigård
- 17Bjørkan
- 8BergeBooked at 58mins
- 6BergBooked at 45mins
- 7AursnesSubstituted forElyounoussiat 61′minutes
- 22BobbSubstituted forPedersenat 90′minutes
- 23Strand Larsen
- 20DønnumSubstituted forThorstvedtat 60′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Myhra
- 2Pedersen
- 4Strandberg
- 5Møller Wolfe
- 10Solbakken
- 11Elyounoussi
- 12Dyngeland
- 16Vetlesen
- 18Thorstvedt
- 19Finne
- 21Gregersen
Live Text
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Match ends, Scotland 3, Norway 3.
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Second Half ends, Scotland 3, Norway 3.
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Foul by Kristian Thorstvedt (Norway).
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Lewis Ferguson (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway).
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Scott McTominay (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sander Berge (Norway).
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Scott McTominay (Scotland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Marcus Pedersen (Norway).
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Greg Taylor (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Patrick Berg (Norway).
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Lawrence Shankland (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Norway. Marcus Pedersen replaces Oscar Bobb.
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Substitution, Scotland. Lawrence Shankland replaces Callum McGregor.
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Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Scott McKenna (Scotland).
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Goal! Scotland 3, Norway 3. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Norway) header from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Julian Ryerson with a cross.
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Attempt blocked. Scott McTominay (Scotland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Jack.
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Foul by Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway).
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Jack Hendry (Scotland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Player of the match
McGinnJohn McGinn
Scotland
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Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
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Squad number4Player nameMcTominay
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Squad number17Player nameS Armstrong
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Squad number8Player nameMcGregor
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Squad number22Player namePatterson
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Squad number16Player nameMcKenna
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Squad number23Player nameMcLean
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Squad number13Player nameHendry
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Squad number10Player nameShankland
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Squad number21Player nameClark
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Squad number19Player nameFerguson
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Squad number20Player nameJack
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Squad number3Player nameTaylor
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Squad number11Player nameChristie
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Squad number18Player nameBrown
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Squad number9Player nameDykes
Norway
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Squad number22Player nameBobb
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Squad number11Player nameElyounoussi
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Squad number6Player nameBerg
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Squad number8Player nameBerge
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Squad number3Player nameAjer
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Squad number20Player nameDønnum
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Squad number14Player nameRyerson
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Squad number18Player nameThorstvedt
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Squad number23Player nameStrand Larsen
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Squad number7Player nameAursnes
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Squad number15Player nameØstigård
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Squad number13Player nameSelvik
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Squad number17Player nameBjørkan
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Squad number2Player namePedersen