Eliminate Norway, Gavi Brings Spain and Scotland to Qualify for Euro 2024

Spanish midfielder Gavi celebrates a goal in the match against Norway in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. (Twitter @EURO2024)

JAKARTA - Spain confirmed qualification for the Euro 2024 finals after narrowly winning 1-0 through a Gavi goal over hosts Norway in the Group A qualifying round match at Ullevaal Stadium, Monday, October 16 early morning WIB. This result also led Scotland to win a ticket to Germany.

Yes, Spain and Scotland immediately pocketed tickets to the finals. The victory over Norway means Spain has 15 points.

Their points tally is the same as Scotland, but Spain is superior on goal difference so they can climb to the top of the standings.

Meanwhile Scotland dropped to second place. Previously, Scotland also failed to add points because they had to admit Spain's lead with a score of 2-0.

Both Spain and Scotland still have two more matches to play. However, Norway can no longer catch up with their points tally, who have completed seven matches.

Norway itself is in third place with 10 points. Because they only have one more match to finish against Scotland, Erling Haaland et al have had to abandon their hopes of competing at Euro 2024. Haaland is also one of the stars who will definitely miss the European Cup.

Previously, at the 2022 World Cup, the Manchester City striker was also absent because Norway did not qualify for the finals.

In that match, Haaland did not move in the face of the sturdy Spanish defense put together by his colleagues at Man City, Aymeric Laporte and Dani Carvajal.

With squad depths of varying quality, Norway failed to dictate to the opponent even though they were playing at home. Spain actually dominates with ball possession always above 60%.

Superiority in ball control was demonstrated by a goal scored in the 20th minute. Striker Alvaro Morata successfully beat goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

However, referee Tobias Stieler disallowed Morata's goal after reviewing the incident via VAR. Through a VAR review, Morata was declared offside before breaking into the opponent's goal so his goal was not approved.

Canceling the lead did not make Spain lose enthusiasm. They still control the match and try to put pressure on their opponents. Only their efforts would bear fruit so the score was 0-0 to close the first half.

In the second half, Spain did not reduce the tempo of the game. Moreover, they have not been able to break into the opponent's goal even though they completely dominate.

The Spanish players' patience finally paid off when Gavi fired a left-footed shot into the home goal after only four minutes had passed.

However, the referee reviewed the goal again via VAR. This time, Stieler stated that there was no violation so the Barcelona player's goal was declared valid.

The score changed to 1-0. After that goal, Norway tried to get up to catch up.

But their efforts were in vain. Even Halaland couldn't use up to eight minutes of extra time to break into La Roja's goal.

Until the end of the match the score remained 1-0 for Spain. This result made Spain immediately take Scotland to Germany.