Spain beat Norway on late own goal
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Raul (left) and Norwegian defender Berg scored for Spain
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EURO 2004 PLAYOFFS
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• Second legs on Wednesday
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| EURO 2004 QUALIFIERS |
Portugal (hosts), France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Greece, England, Bulgaria, Italy, Switzerland.
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VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) -- Spain needed a late Henning Berg own goal to clinch a 2-1 win over Norway in an electrifying Euro 2004 playoff first leg that leaves them with plenty of work to do to reach the finals in Portugal.
Norway took the lead on 14 minutes against the run of play when Steffen Iversen scored from close range after Roar Strand's header back into the box had split the Spanish defense.
Spanish captain Raul equalized with a glancing header from Jose Antonio Reyes' free kick seven minutes later.
Spain attacked relentlessly and had countless chances to clinch victory over the remainder of the game, but Norway kept the home side at bay with resolute defending and great goalkeeping from Espen Johnsen.
But on 85 minutes Ruben Baraja met Joaquin's cross from the left and the ball deflected into the roof of the net off Berg.
The result gives Spain the slimmest of leads in the two-legged playoff and with the second leg to come in Oslo on Wednesday Norway remain well placed to cause an upset.
"I sincerely believe that we were not lucky in this game," said Spanish coach Inaki Saez.
"I'm told we had 56 scoring chances and seven or eight of them were good ones but their goalkeeper responded with good saves. We did have bad luck at times but you accept that in football."
"It might not look like a good result for us but after seeing the way we played I have every confidence."
Noregian coach Johan Semb conceded Spain had controlled the game but was left disappointed by the result.
"I'm not satisfied," he said. "The game could have finished in a draw and I would have been satisfied with that.
"If it had finished 1-1 I would have considered us favorites but with the defeat that's not the case."
