Norway 1-2 Scotland: Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean score late to earn dramatic win

Lyndon Dykes' 87th-minute equaliser started a remarkable turnaround

Unlikely and sensational late goals from Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean maintained Scotland's perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Steve Clarke's side stunned Norway in Oslo.

Erling Haaland's 53rd goal of the season from the penalty spot just after the hour mark looked to have given the more lively Norwegians a precious victory which would have revived their Group A hopes.

But out of nothing, Dykes pounced on a mistake with three minutes of normal time remaining to snatch what seemed like a brilliant point for Scotland.

However, barely two minutes later it got even better when substitute McLean swept the ball home to send the travelling Tartan Army into ecstasy and ultimately secure a scarcely believable three points.

It keeps Scotland top of Group A on a maximum nine points, six clear of Spain, who have a game in hand, and eight in front of a devastated Norway.

Clarke's side travel back to Scotland and will prepare to face Georgia on Tuesday at Hampden, where a victory would take them to within touching distance of a place at back-to-back European Championships.

That did not seem likely with mere minutes to go in a baking hot Ullevaal Stdaion as Norway seemed comfortable after taking the lead through Haaland.

City's record-breaking striker was practically a spectator for the first hour, but was lurking in the box waiting for a cross when Ryan Porteous blithely stuck out a leg, resulting in the penalty.

Haaland duly drilled the ball past a diving Angus Gunn to give Norway a deserved lead. At that point Scotland had only had two shots, their lowest total since 2016, before inspiring a crazy turnaround, helped by suspect Norway defending.

Leo Ostigard could only clear John McGinn's pass into Dykes' path, and the Scotland striker stayed composed in another big moment for his country to prod in the equaliser.

Then, just as heart rates in the Scotland end had just about returned to normal, Dykes knocked a cross into McLean's path, and the substitute beautifully stroked in a priceless winner.

Player of the match - Andy Robertson

The captain led by example. Composed at the back and brilliant at driving the team forward up the left, he barely put a foot wrong.

Belief and togetherness get Scotland over the line

The same result for Scotland in this campaign, a win, but achieved by very different means. If the Cyprus and Spain games at Hampden were confident and dominant, this was all about guts, spirit, and adaptability.

The belief and togetherness this team has built over the last few years is quite something, to the point where turnarounds like this are now possible, and even expected by the team.

Dykes, despite sometimes looking lost up front, continues to produce big moments in a Scotland shirt, and is the symbol of a team giving every inch of itself.

Clarke has to take credit as well for his substitutions, and he took advantage of Norway replacing Haaland and others late on to turn the game. McLean came on and McGinn pushed further forward, and the Aston Villa midfielder played a crucial role in both goals too.

This group was one of the toughest Scotland could have got as second seeds, but so far they have made light work of it, to the point where winning the section is possible. First up, though, is old foes Georgia on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

Line-ups

Norway

Formation 4-3-3

1Nyland

14Ryerson4Strandberg15Østigård5Meling

10Ødegaard6Berg16Aursnes

19Sørloth9Haaland17Solbakken

1Nyland14Ryerson4Strandberg15Østigård5Meling10Ødegaard6BergSubstituted forStrand Larsenat 84'minutes16AursnesSubstituted forThorstvedtat 84'minutes19SørlothSubstituted forElyounoussiat 79'minutes9HaalandSubstituted forDæhliat 84'minutes17SolbakkenSubstituted forBergeat 63'minutes

Substitutes

2Gregersen3Wembangomo7Vetlesen8Berge11Elyounoussi12Dyngeland13Selvik18Thorstvedt20Dæhli22Finne23Strand Larsen

Scotland

Formation 3-4-3

1Gunn

15Porteous13Hendry6Tierney

2Hickey4McTominay8McGregor3Robertson

11Christie9Dykes7McGinn

1Gunn15PorteousBooked at 60minsSubstituted forMcLeanat 79'minutes13HendryBooked at 40mins6TierneyBooked at 53minsSubstituted forCooperat 65'minutes2Hickey4McTominay8McGregorSubstituted forGilmourat 78'minutes3Robertson11ChristieSubstituted forS Armstrongat 79'minutes9Dykes7McGinnBooked at 37minsSubstituted forHyamat 90+1'minutes

Substitutes

5Hyam10Shankland12Kelly14Gilmour16Cooper17S Armstrong18Ferguson19Nisbet20Jack21Clark22Taylor23McLean

Live Text

Match ends, Norway 1, Scotland 2.

Second Half ends, Norway 1, Scotland 2.

Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Norway).

Kenny McLean (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Dominic Hyam (Scotland).

Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Liam Cooper (Scotland).

Foul by Kristian Thorstvedt (Norway).

Liam Cooper (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Scotland. Dominic Hyam replaces John McGinn.

Goal! Norway 1, Scotland 2. Kenny McLean (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lyndon Dykes.

Goal! Norway 1, Scotland 1. Lyndon Dykes (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

Foul by Martin Ødegaard (Norway).

John McGinn (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt blocked. Martin Ødegaard (Norway) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Birger Meling.

Substitution, Norway. Kristian Thorstvedt replaces Fredrik Aursnes.

Substitution, Norway. Mats Dæhli replaces Erling Haaland.

Substitution, Norway. Jørgen Strand Larsen replaces Patrick Berg.

Leo Østigård (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Player of the match

RobertsonAndrew Robertson