Våge Nielsen to the rescue for Norway
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
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Norway 2-1 Iceland
A late goal from Joakim Våge Nielsen saw the hosts past Iceland in Drammen to keep them in touch at the top of Group 8.
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Joakim Våge Nielsen rescued Norway four minutes from time against Iceland, earning a valuable three points to keep them in touch with Group 8 leaders England.
The victory leaves Norway two points behind the pool pacesetters with two games remaining, and it seemed as if they would have it all their own way against bottom of the group Iceland when Magnus Eikrem put the hosts ahead after 15 minutes in Drammen. The midfielder capitalised after a strong run from right-back Vegar Hedenstad before firing in from 20 metres.
The lead lasted just 11 minutes, however, as Rúnar Már Sigurjónsson converted Jóhann Laxdal's cross with an excellent header. It seemed as though Norway would have to settle for a draw but on 86 minutes Joshua King showed his strength to hold the ball up before feeding left-back Våge Nielsen who curled a beautiful winner past Árni Ólafsson. Norway face two tough trips in their final games, to Belgium then England, but win both and they will top the group.
