Iceland scored late to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Norway in a match from Group B of the UEFA Under-19 Championship at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Friday. A result which leaves wide open the battle for a semi-final spot.
In fact, after Spain secured a spot in the semi-finals following the emphatic win over Greece, Norway and Iceland will be fighting for the remaining spot on Monday as Norway take on Spain at the National Stadium and Iceland face Greece at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. Both matches kick-off at 21:00.
Norway need a draw from the game against Spain while Iceland have to beat Greece by at least two goals, hoping that Norway lose to Spain.
The draw was a fair result as Iceland did not deserve to leave the Tony Bezzina Stadium empty-handed after creating the better chances throughout the ninety minutes.
Norway held the initiative during the first half but Iceland created the better chances, going close with a Birgisson effort on the 36th and four minutes later, Rugland Ree turned into a corner a fine effort by Thorsteinsson.
Two minutes in the second half, an Erik Flataker effort was tipped over the bar by Iceland goalkeeper Lukas Petersson.
Norway took the lead on the 65th minute when Alwande Roaldsoy was brought down inside the area by Gudmundsson and from the penalty spot, Roaldsoy converted.
Iceland pushed for the equaliser, going close with a Bjarnason header which ended just over the bar on the 81st.
However one minute from time, Iceland notched the equaliser with a great goal by Eggert Aron Gudmundsson who concluded a fine solo effort with a low shot from the edge the area which beat goalkeeper Magnus Rugland Ree.
ICELAND Lukas Petersson, Hlynur Freyr Karlsson, Logi Hrafn Róbertsson, Sigurbergur Aki Jörundsson (73′ Asgeir Gudmundsson), Gosli Gottskalk Thordarson, Adolf Dadi Birgisson (73′ Johannes Kristinn Bjarnason), Eggert Aron Gudmundsson, Daniel Freyr Kristjánsson, Robert Frosti Thorkelsson (58′ Haukur Andri Haraldsson), Arnar Daniel Adalsteinsson, Agust Orri Thorsteinsson (73′ Benony Breki Andresson).
NORWAY Magnus Rugland Ree, Vetle Walle Egeli, Nikolai Hopland, Alwande Roaldsoy, Syver Aas (59′ Oliver Braude), Niklas Odegard, Erik Flataker, Simen Haram, Henrik Skogvold (59′ Oskar Sivertsen), Daniel Bassi (80′ Dylan Murugesapillai), Benjamin Faraas (83′ Elrik Blikstad).
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB
Assistant referees: Dojando Myftari ALB, Rafael Morim LUX
Fourth official: Genc Nuza KOS