Norway clinch second spot as Holland beat Scotland

Norway’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup remained alive on Wednesday as they claimed second spot in UEFA qualifying Group 9 with a 2-1 win over Macedonia and Holland’s 1-0 win in Scotland.

The result left Norway on 10 points, ahead of Scotland on goal difference, and put them in a position to possibly qualify for the UEFA play-offs, although the 8 teams participated won’t be known until October.

Norway went in front after just two minutes as Le Mans striker Thorstein Helstad fired the home side in front, giving his side and the home crowd a massive boost. John Arne Riise then doubled the advantage in the 25th minute to give Norway a comfortable lead.

Boban Grncarov made it a nervous finish for the Scandinavians when he pulled one back in the 79th minute for Macedonia, but Norway held on to secure second spot.

Scotland held out strong at Hampden Park against a superior Dutch side that had already qualified for the World Cup, and it appeared the Scots would grab the point they needed to secure second spot.

But Eljero Elia took advantage of a defensive blunder by David Weir in the 82nd minute and slotted past deputy goalkeeper David Marshall to give the Dutch a 100% record in their eight qualifying matches.