International Friendly
Scotland 1-1 Norway
Sunday, 18 June 
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia

Tommy Conway scored his first Scotland goal to earn the Under-21s a 1-1 draw against Norway in Murcia. 

In 30 degree heat, Norway had the better of the first half and took the lead through Fiabema.

Like on Thursday, Scotland finished strongly and Conway converted a penalty clinically after he was fouled, and it nearly got better in the last minute as Kieron Bowie stroked the ball against the left hand post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Scorers

Scotland 1: Conway (78)

Norway 1: Fiabema (32)

Team News

Scotland made five changes from the side who drew 0-0 with Norway in La Nucia on Thursday. Jay Hogarth replaced Cieran Slicker in goal, while Ben McPherson and Matthew Anderson came in for their first starts at right wing-back and left wing-back.

Lyall Cameron also earned a first start after impressing off the bench on Thursday, while Dire Mebude – who came so close to winning the contest three days ago – also started on the right of a front three.

As It Happened

It was Norway who created the first chance of the game in the 11th minute as Elias Melkersen found himself free in the box but Jay Hogarth made himself big and managed to block the close-range shot.

Much like on Thursday, Norway started the brighter without creating many clear cut chances in the opening stages.

A header from Normann Williemsen in the 19th minute was the closest they came until just after the half hour mark when they broke the deadlock.

Scotland had been trying to play out from the back but Lyall Cameron was dispossessed by Fiabema who bore down on goal. Hogarth came out sharply and blocked well but the Norwegian striker was able to bundle the ball home on the rebound.

Scotland responded well to going behind and Lewis Fiorini had their first effort on goal in the 35th minute, driving in from the left and shooting narrowly wide.

The young Scots came even closer moments later as Tommy Conway got on the end of McPherson’s dangerous cross but the captain couldn’t get the desired contact. Scotland recycled possession though and the ball broke to Connor Barron on the edge of the box. He took a touch and sent a dipping half-volley goalwards but Norway stopper Sem-Johansen Oy was able to tip it over. 

The goal had sparked Scotland into life and they showed a lot more threat in an attacking sense heading towards the break – almost taking the lead with the last kick of the half as Fiorini’s clever free-kick found Conway but his acrobatic effort flew over.

Scot Gemmill made nine changes in the first friendly with many players playing their first game since last season and he opted to make two alterations at the break with Ben Summers replacing Barron and Jack Newman coming in for Hogarth in goals.

Scotland started the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot and Fiorini had another curling effort from just outside the box in the 57th minute that arrowed narrowly wide after a good sweeping move involving Jeremiah Mullen and Anderson.

Norway’s Fiabema was a constant threat, however, and he got in behind once again just before the hour mark, forcing substitute Newman into a smart stop.

Newman was called into action once again in the 67th minute and he did well to deny substitute Nosakhere Dahl at the near post after another Norway break.

The game was opening up and Scotland were next to come close on the counter-attack as Dire Mebude played Tommy Conway through on goal but he could only force the ball wide as the covering defenders did just enough.

The game was broken up a touch as the second half progressed as both sides gave game time to their respective benches. The Scots switched to a back four for the last 20 minutes, with Josh Mulligan, Josh Reid and Liam Smith introduced.

Newman was the busier of the two keepers as the match progressed and he was twice tested by Norway substitute Gerard Aasgaard.

Scotland were creating opportunities themselves though and they were awarded a route back into the game on 78 minutes as Tommy Conway broke forward down the left hand side and was brought down by Williamsen. Referee Diaz Escudero wasted no time in pointing to the spot and the Scotland captain picked himself up to roll the ball into the bottom right hand corner to make it 1-1.

With the game played in searing 30 degree hear once again, Scotland made another four changes with Lewis Neilson, Azeem Abdulai, Connor Smith and Ryan Duncan all given run-outs.

Mebude had hit the post in the final minute on Thursday and Scotland were met by the same misfortune once again in the 90th minute as substitutes Duncan and Liam Smith combined to set up Bowie who placed the ball against the left hand post when through on goal.

That was to be the final chance as both sides couldn’t be separated over the two closely-contested matches.

Post-match thoughts

Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill reflected on the two friendly matches this week. He said: “It’s been two close competitive matches which is exactly what we wanted at the start of the week.

“I thought that, like on Thursday, we had to defend well at times, especially in the first half and Norway are a really good side but again we finished the match strongly.

“We’ve hit the post at the end of both matches which has been unfortunate but ultimately it’s been a good test for the players which is the most important thing.

“The heat was a factor again but it will be similar when we play Spain in September so it was important to experience that again so the players are prepared.

“From a fitness perspective we need to remember that this is the first football lots of our players have played for over a month so it was nice to see us finish strongly in both games - especially when you think that lots of Norway’s players are in the middle of their seasons."

The group watched the Men's A side last night and threatened to compete the heroics of Oslo against the same opposition in Murcia.

Gemmill added: “We watched the Scotland game as a group last night and it was great to see, once again, so many players that we have worked with in the Under-21s, excelling in the senior team.

“It should serve as a huge motivation for this group and we nearly emulated them in coming from behind to win, with Kieron Bowie hitting the post right at the end.

“From our point of view it’s been a productive week working with the players and we look forward to the next challenge in September.”

Next Up

Scotland are back in Spain in September when the UEFA EURO 2025 qualifiers get underway. A venue for this match will be confirmed by the hosts in due course.

Scotland Line Up

Scotland: Hogarth (Newman 12), McPherson (Mulligan 57), Mullen (Neilson 80), Morrison, King (Reid 70), Anderson (L Smith 70), Barron (Summers 45), Cameron (Duncan 80), Mebude (Smith 80), Fiorini (Abdalai 80), Conway (Bowie 80)

Unused substitutes: Slicker