Attendance 48,882
It was Scotland’s first home defeat in a World Cup-tie
for all of 39 years and Norway’s first win over the
Scots since 1963.
The crucial turning-point of the match came in the
52nd minute when Steffen Iversen scored what proved to
be the only goal of the game from the penalty spot,
Jamie McFadden having been red-carded for deliberate
handball in the selfsame incident.
A near-capacity crowd of 48,882 spectators were full
of anticipation as the kick-off approached – with
Steven Thompson named as a substitute the visitors
fielded former Ranger Thomas Myhre in goal.
Scotland almost got off to a dream start inside two
minutes – McFadden’s 22-yard free-kick being held by
Myhre.
The Norwegians soon settled however – taking the
aggression out of the Scots’ play by keeping
possession, and almost opening the scoring in twenty
minutes when John Carew, once an Ibrox target but now
with Besiktas, was inches away from connecting with
Magne Hoset’s cross.
Two minutes later the same combination again
threatened – Carew’s header from a Hoset corner flying
just over.
The game erupted in controversy on the half-hour mark
when McFadden’s corner fell to Paul Dickov whose
volley was parried by Myhre, the loose ball being
stabbed towards the line by Richard Hughes only to be
scooped clear by Iversen. There were loud protests
that the ball had crossed the line, but television
replays indicated otherwise.
Craig Gordon denied Norway eight minutes later,
holding Erik Hagen’s header from a Jan Sorensen
corner.
The interval arrived without a breakthrough, but for
Berti Vogts the second-half would require a change of
vantage point, being ordered to the stand by Belgian
Referee Paul Allaerts for comments made to the
official.
The game’s outcome hinged on the 52nd minute when
Claus Lundekvam was allowed a free header from a Hoset
corner – Gordon perhaps being caught in no-mans land.
Only an instinctive “goalkeeper’s save” on the line by
McFadden prevented a goal – but it was a penalty and
inevitable red card for the Everton player. Iversen
coolly converted the spot-kick, and Scotland were up
against it.
The home side were not giving up the ghost however –
Dickov’s shot on the turn in 65 minutes from a Barry
Ferguson free-kick being held by Myhre.
The Blackburn striker was substituted by ex-Ranger
Kenny Miller nine minutes later to sustained booing
from disillusioned spectators, but within sixty
seconds the game might have been secured when
substitute Morten Pedersen created an opening for
himself only to chip over the crossbar.
A speculative cross from Darren Fletcher struck the
top of the crossbar in 79 minutes.
Immediately afterwards Steven Thompson replaced Gary
Holt, but time was running out on the Scots.
Carew – a constant threat throughout – tested Gordon
once again with a header from a long Pedersen throw-in
in 87 minutes.
The game finished with an amazing touchline ‘bust-up’
between Tommy Burns and fourth official Johny Ver
Eecke, with the Scotland Assistant Coach, guilty of
encroachment, standing eye-ball to eye-ball with the
Belgian.
The final whistle sounded soon afterwards, bringing
the curtain down on Scotland’s worst-ever start to a
World Cup campaign.
Under-fire Berti Vogts afterwards lamented:
“We were very unlucky. The red card was the key. Our
‘goal’ should have stood in the first-half. I am very
proud of my players. We must now win on Wednesday and
also win in Oslo. We have eight matches left to play –
2nd place is still possible.”
Not very likely, Berti.
SCOTLAND Gordon; G. Caldwell, Naysmith; Anderson,
Webster, Ferguson; Fletcher, Holt, Dickov, McFadden,
Hughes
UNUSED SUBS Marshall, S. Caldwell, Crawford, Murray
NORWAY Myhre; Bergdolmo, Hagen; Lundekvam, Riise,
Sorensen (Andresen 73); Solli, Hoset (Pedersen 57),
Svindal, Carew, Iversen (F. Johnsen 88)
UNUSED SUBS E. Johnsen, Soma, Gashi, Rushfeldt
REFEREE Paul Allaerts (Belgium)