Only the winner of their opener in Herning would realistically remain in the race for the semi-finals, therefore the significance for both sides was enormous.
Norway went into the last 60 seconds with possession and the game level at 34-34. Tobias Grondahl then scored with 32 seconds remaining, but with Vetle Eck Aga serving a suspension, the Norwegian goal was empty. Aleix Gómez spotted the opportunity and went on the run, but Norway heroically chased him down and managed to force the shot wide.
Spain still managed to keep possession. After a video review, Martin Hovde received a suspension, meaning Norway only had five men to defend against the last Spanish attack. Ian Barrufet tried to pass from wing to wing, and both Gómez and August Pedersen jumped for the ball at once, with Pedersen deflecting the ball.
The two players landed inside the penalty area, but the referees decided this was outside defending, and Norway went on to claim a one-goal win and two points.
The frantic end to the match followed two completely different halves, where the first half was a high-speed spectacle while the second became a defence-oriented battle.
It was Norway’s second consecutive win against Spain at the EURO final tournaments.
