Norway leave it late against Iceland

Norway kept their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying hopes on track in Oslo tonight, claiming a 1-0 victory over Iceland with a late penalty in Group H qualifying.

The home side dominated their Nordic neighbours, but appeared to be heading for an evening of disappointment until Mohamed Abdellaoui scored from the spot after a challenge on substitute John Carew. The win takes Norway above another regional rival Denmark, with the two teams set to meet in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Iceland came into the contest with just a single point to their name in the group, but almost shocked their hosts within the opening two minutes as Rurik Gislason's 20-yard strike had to be parried away by Rune Almenning Jarstein. They soon came even closer to scoring minutes later with a close-range header from Solvi Jonsson which fell just past the left post.

Norway took their time to settle before Kjetil Waehler threatened after 18 minutes with a header from Jonathan Parr's corner which the defender put wide. That sparked the home side to life and Henning Hauger, Tom Hogli and Alexander Tettey all had chances that narrowly missed the mark.

Hogli's cross-shot had to be tipped around the post by Stefan Magnusson, with the Icelandic goalkeeper getting his hands to another effort from Hauger soon after. Norway continued to pile on the pressure after the interval and Magnusson made another excellent stop to push away Parr's left-footed strike from a few yards out.

It was proving to be a frustrating night for Egil Olsen's men and luck was once more against them after 68 minutes when Tettey hit a powerful shot which cannoned back off the post. 

West Ham United striker Carew replaced Christian Grindheim after 80 minutes as Olsen tried to boost his misfiring front line. And the move paid dividends two minutes from time when Carew won a penalty for his side after he received a push in the back during a tussle with Magnusson.

Abdellaoui took the kick and added to the goalkeeper's misery with a cool left-footed strike into the top-right corner.