England earn dramatic triumph

Dramatic turnaround
Needing a victory to progress, England took an early lead at The Showgrounds through Matthew Mills, only for Karim Aoudia to swiftly level. Martin Hunter's team looked to be heading out when Petter Hanssen put Norway on front eleven minutes from time but Dexter Blackstock forced in after a corner to level the scores. With seven minutes remaining Wheater headed in another corner to secure England's progress to a last-four meeting with Serbia and Montenegro on Tuesday. In the other concluding Group B game, France defeated Armenia to win the section.

Three changes
England coach Hunter introduced James Morrison, Matthew Fryatt and Ryan Jarvis in his starting lineup following the 1-1 draw with Armenia on Wednesday, while his Norwegian counterpart Toe Ole Skullerund made four changes from the side defeated 3-1 by France on Matchday 2. Hunter's changes initally proved the more effective, Morrison crossing following a quick third-minute corner and Mills beat Joachim Heier with a looping header.

Hanssen threat
Norway responded quickly, with Hanssen skipping away from his marker down the left and putting in a dangerous ball which England goalkeeper David Martin pushed on to his crossbar. In the 23rd minute, Norway did level. Jesper Mathiesen intercepting Mark Noble's clearance and finding Aoudia inside the area for the striker to prod beyond Martin. England strove to regain the upper hand, with Lee Holmes dribbling past two defenders before finding Jarvis, who turned into space but sent his shot just past the post.

Further opportunities
Jarvis was denied by Heier just before half-time, although although Jesper Mathiesen and Vidar Nisja threatened for Norway early in the second half, before Mills had another chance but this time the defender's aim was wayward.

Hanssen strikes
Hunter introduced Wheater with 17 minutes left, hoping to use the defender's height to unsettle the Norwegian defence, but the tactic looked to have backfired as Norway struck again six minutes later. Hanssen cut in from the left, beat Martin Cranie, and shot past Martin to seemingly ensure his team's progress.

Breathless finish
A minute later, however, England drew level again with substitute Blackstock reacting fastest to prod his side back into contention after Morrison's corner had caused confusion. With seven minutes remaining, another corner undid the Norwegians, Lee Holmes delivering a perfect right-wing cross for Wheater to beat Heier and head England into the last four.