Scots stun Norway, Portugal beat Bosnia; Belgium stay alive
Sports Desk, Jun 17 (EFE).- Scotland scored twice in two minutes Saturday to upend Erling Haaland’s Norway 2-1 and go 5 points clear atop Group A in the qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships.
While Portugal rolled 3-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina and lead Group J by 2 points and Belgium salvaged a 1-1 draw with Group F leaders Austria to remain in the hunt for a Euro 2024 berth.
Haaland won and converted a penalty in the 61st minute to put Norway ahead in Oslo, but Lyndon Dykes brought Scotland level in the 87th and Kenny McLean produced a match-winner two minutes later.
With three wins in three, the Scots have 9 points, 5 better than second-place Georgia, who beat Cyprus 2-1 Saturday, and 6 better than Spain.
Though both La Roja – facing Croatia on Sunday in the Nations League final – and the side from the Caucasus have played one fewer match.
Norway have just a point after three games.
In Lisbon, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team were up 1-0 at the break on a goal by Bernardo Silva, but the second goal came only in the 77th minute courtesy of Bruno Fernandes, who added a second in stoppage time.
Second place in Group J belongs to Slovakia, who bested Iceland 2-1 Saturday with goals from Juraj Kucka and Tomas Suslov to improve to 7 points.
Belgium, who were without the injured Kevin de Bruyne, fell behind in the 21st minute when midfielder Orel Mangala’s attempt to block a shot by Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch redirected the ball past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Romelu Lukaku brought the hosts level in the 61st minute with his 73rd goal in 108 appearances, but Youri Tielemans hit the cross-bar on a chance for the winner in stoppage time.
Austria are first in Group F with 7 points from three matches. Belgium sit second with 4 points after two games.
EFE apa/dr
