Scotland's Thrilling Comeback Victory Ignites Hopes for Euro 2024 Qualification
Scotland manager Steve Clarke praises the team's resilience and determination after their incredible comeback win against Norway The character and quality displayed by the players prove their commitment to perform well for their country
Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised the resilience and strength of his team after their remarkable comeback in the Euro 2024 qualifying match against Norway in Oslo. In a surprising turn of events, Lyndon Dykes and substitute Kenny McLean scored two goals in the last four minutes of regular time, securing a 2-1 triumph for the Group A leaders.
Scotland extended their lead at the top of Group A and moved eight points ahead of third seeds Norway, as McLean was one of three substitutions made by Clarke in the 79th minute. This timely change came just in time, as Scotland had been struggling to pose a threat and had fallen behind to Erling Haaland's 61st-minute penalty. Haaland went down after Ryan Porteous grabbed hold of his shirt.
'We never stopped believing'
Clarke said: "I was pleased with the performance, we were disciplined and passed it quite well at times.Obviously, facing a strong Norwegian team requires enduring immense pressure. However, we never lost faith and persevered until the very end, reaping the benefits of our efforts.
This situation truly exemplifies the remarkable character, indomitable spirit, and exceptional talent that our team possesses, even among the substitutes. One aspect that I consistently emphasize about this group of players is the outstanding quality they possess, coupled with their genuine desire to excel and make their country proud.
When I look towards the substitution bench and realize the need for freshening up, I am confident in bringing on high-caliber players onto the field.
Determining the perfect moment for these changes was crucial. Following the conceded goal, I believed it was wiser to stay engaged in the match for a while longer, ensuring it didn't slip away from us.
"We were then in a position where we had to intensify our efforts to catch up in the game. It was a natural decision to substitute a defender and move John McGinn a bit higher up the field.
"We introduced Kenny, Billy Gilmour, and Stuart Armstrong into the match, providing fresh legs to enhance our attacking play. As a result, they played a significant role in the majority of our promising moments towards the conclusion of the game."
Scotland's victory has already placed them in a commanding position, boasting a flawless record as they approach the halfway mark of the campaign. The upcoming match against Georgia on Tuesday will further solidify their standing.
"If we want to secure our spot in major tournaments, it's crucial to perform well in away matches against strong opponents and earn valuable points. This victory of three points is significant, but we must remain focused and continue our efforts.
"All the players are currently recuperating in ice baths, and it is essential that we maintain our momentum and secure another three points on Tuesday. This win has positioned us favorably for our upcoming match, and I am solely focused on that without looking any further ahead."
Robertson: We have to qualify now
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Scotland's Andy Robertson and Norway's Martin Odegaard shake hands ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier
"We knew that going behind would be a challenge, but the lads who came off the bench performed exceptionally. Now, it is crucial for us to secure our qualification for the tournament in Germany next summer," emphasized Scotland captain Andrew Robertson.
The team strived to strike the perfect balance. The camaraderie within the team is unparalleled. Achieving such unity in international football is truly exceptional.
"Our campaign couldn't have commenced on a stronger note. Now, our focus lies on securing qualification."
'Game against Georgia huge now'
Former Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall on We News:
Scotland's qualifying campaign has commenced on a remarkable note. Glancing at the standings, it is truly uplifting.
Having triumphed over Spain and emerged victorious in Norway, the atmosphere at Hampden Park is bound to be electrifying on Tuesday night as Scotland aims to solidify this achievement by defeating Georgia.
"A win on Tuesday would put Scotland in a fantastic position to qualify. They'd be disappointed not to qualify from that position.
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Scotland's Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean at full time
"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.
If they are able to secure victories in their upcoming matches against Georgia and Cyprus, there is a high probability that we will qualify for Euro 2024.
Opta stats: Three from three for the first time since 2008
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Kenny McLean celebrates after making it 2-1
Solbakken: We are in a difficult position
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Norway's Martin Odegaard looks dejected at full-time
"It was an unfortunate incident involving Leo Ostigard. It appears he experienced cramp in both legs simultaneously," stated Stale Solbakken, the manager of Norway. "We cannot hold him responsible for that. If that was the case, I must accept responsibility for not substituting him."
"We are in a very difficult position."
What's next
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.
