Norway breached Scotland’s defence with fifteen minutes to play at Oriam on Saturday, helping them to a 1-0 victory that keeps their hopes of qualifying for the Women’s U17s European Finals in Bulgaria alive. The scoreline, and scrambled nature of the goal, were a fair reflection of a game the visitor’s edged but will give Scotland some heart.

Prior to kick-off the Norwegian fans and players were in good voice, and their team started the game with the majority of possession. Their formation, with wingers Oda Amland Edvartsen and Laura Gashi right on the touchlines, forced disciplined shuffling defence from the Scots, and an early injection of pace from Edvartsen foreshadowed a future danger. Nonetheless, the early exchanges did not produce any shots.

When an effort did come, on 18 minutes, it was from Scotland. A bundling run by Kate Nicolson ended with possession at the feet of Kathleen McGovern, who hit not overly high and wide of the top right corner. Norway’s response was positive. A beautiful lofted pass from the centre circle by Mille Aune isolated Edvartsen against fullback Philippa McCallum, and when the cross arrived both Siri Oline Berg-Johansen and Joshualyn Favour Revees had slipped their markers. The latter volleyed wide.

Yet by the middle of the half Scotland had fully grown into the game. A Nicholson free kick from distance dipped a little too late, and another free kick - an inswinger from the right by McCallum - could have caused serious consternation if Nicolson had been able to make stronger contact. The Norwegians were beginning to lose a little shape, but still offered glimpses of danger. A great covering challenge by Chloe Warrington was required to end a swift break devised by Gashi and Berg-Johansen.

As the second half began, it was immediately evident the key word from Norway’s half-time talk was intensity. Malene Oland Haugen and Mille Dalen were added to the fray, and coach Børje Sørensen became animated, dishing out bilingual instructions that promoted upping pace and closing down. The ball was moved forward quicker, frequently in the direction of Edvartsen as she became a painful thorn in Scotland’s left side.

The pressure grew, but in corners and crosses rather than shots. Indeed, as in the opening period, it was Scotland who had the first effort: Monica Forsyth did more than offer a release valve when she jinked forward from halfway and shot just over in the 54th minute. But 60 seconds later Malene Haugen was equally close after two team mates had swings blocked.

The hosts’ fullbacks were already having to work extremely hard. In a final tactical manoeuvre, Norway withdrew centre-forward Berg-Johansen and pushed Revees and Malene Haugen on to Scotland’s defenders. The idea was to force quick clearances that midfielders Emilie Marie Joramo and Dalen could win and recycle.

It paid near-immediate dividends. In the 75th minute captain Andrea Sivertsen Broholm was able to strike an effort which was deflected wide left, and Revees duly swung the corner to the edge of the six yard box. In the melee a boot prodded the ball goalwards, stopped by a player close to the line. The referee deemed it over, and Norway celebrated. The Norwegian fans believed the scorer was Thea Loennecken. The officials gave it to Malene Haugen. Either way, the team were ahead.

The match’s death throws saw McCallum hit a free kick a metre over and Malene Haugen thrillingly run outside the entire defence from halfway but hit softly at Yates. An injury time red card for McGovern didn’t help the host’s chances, delivered for two unnecessary yellows, and moments later the full time whistle ended matters. The Scandinavians now face a winner-takes-all battle with Group 4 powerhouse Germany on Tuesday, while Scotland will finish their tournament against Ireland.