Saturday, June 17, 2023

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 team stunned Norway in Oslo. 

Lyndon Dykes' 87th-minute equalizer started a remarkable turnaround.

Just after the hour mark, Erling Haaland's 53rd goal of the season from the penalty spot appeared to have given the more energetic Norwegians a victory that would have revived their hopes for Group A.

However, with three minutes of normal time remaining, Dykes came out of nowhere and capitalized on a mistake to steal what appeared to be an excellent point for Scotland.

Substitute McLean scored just two minutes later to send the traveling Tartan Army into ecstasy and secure three points that are hard to believe.

With the victory, Scotland remained at the top of Group A with a maximum of nine points. They are six points ahead of Spain, who have a game in hand, and eight points ahead of a devastated Norway.A win against Georgia on Tuesday at Hampden would put Scotland within striking distance of qualifying for consecutive European Championships.

With just a few minutes remaining in the blisteringly hot Ullevaal Stadion, Norway appeared content.

The record-breaking striker for Manchester City was practically a spectator for the first hour, but Ryan Porteous blithely stuck out a leg while he was lurking in the box waiting for a cross, which led to the penalty.

To give Norway a rightful lead, Haaland drilled the ball past Angus Gunn, who was diving. Scotland had only taken two shots at that point, their lowest total since 2016, before inspiring a wild turnaround thanks to Norway's suspect defense.

Leo Ostigard kept his composure as he prodded into Dykes after only clearing John McGinn's entrance.

Dykes lobbed a cross into McLean's path just as the heart rates in the Scotland end had returned to normal, and McLean skillfully stroked in a priceless winner.

During a UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier match between Norway and Scotland at the Ullevaall Stadion, 

Scotland's Andy Robertson was named player of the match. The captain led by example. He was solid in the back and did a great job of driving the team forward up the left without missing a beat.

This was all about guts, spirit, and adaptability if the victories over Cyprus and Spain at Hampden were any indication of Scotland's confidence and dominance.

This team's belief and unity over the past few years is remarkable, to the point where such turnarounds are now possible and even expected.

Even though Dykes sometimes looks lost at the front, he continues to have big moments in a Scotland shirt and is a symbol of a team that gives everything it has.

Clarke deserves credit for his substitutions, and he capitalized on Norway's substitution of Haaland and other players late in the game to change the outcome.

McLean came on, and McGinn, a midfielder who was moved further forward, was crucial in both goals.

As second seeds, Scotland faced one of the toughest groups possible in this group, but so far, they have dominated it to the point where winning it is possible.

What they said about Steve Clarke, the head coach of Scotland: When the time is right, you just have to ride the wave. The boys persevered because they have self-confidence.

We were obviously disappointed to lose the goal, but the response was positive. Their previous work had satisfied me somewhat.

"The lads have dug themselves out of a tight spot, and it's nice that we stay at the top of the group."

Martin Odegaard, a Norway midfielder: " It's difficult to sum up. With a few minutes remaining, we had the advantage, so nothing should have happened after that.

"It's difficult to take. We have to be sincere because qualifying will now be extremely challenging. We must remain united and proceed from there.

To be honest, I didn't think Scotland played a great game. However, they have a tremendous spirit and fight to the end; they deserve credit."


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