Raul strikes again to lead Spanish to promised land

Norway 0 Spain 3 (agg 1-5): Raul led Spain into the Euro 2004 finals yesterday with the first goal in a stylish victory over Norway in their play-off second leg in Oslo.

The Real Madrid striker, who also scored in last Saturday's 2-1 first leg win in Valencia, was on target after 34 minutes before second-half goals from Vicente and Joseba Etxeberria secured a 5-1 aggregate victory.

"The players were immense for the 90 minutes of the game, they never dropped their guard for a moment," Spanish coach Inaki Saez said.

"It really would have hurt me a lot if this group of players had not made it to Portugal - this team had to be there."

Norway's coach, Nils Johan Semb, whose reign ended with the defeat, conceded his team had been outplayed.

"They were simply better than us on all levels," he said. "We had no real chance. We didn't manage to match their tempo. This was no pleasant exit."

Spain were simply a different class to their opponents, who struggled to contain the creative skills of Juan Carlos Valeron and were forced to play too deep to pose any real threat to Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Valeron provided the neat through ball for Raul, who broke free from his marker, Ronny Johnsen, to shoot low past Norwegian goalkeeper Espen Johnsen for the first goal just after the half-hour mark.

Vicente grabbed Spain's second in the 49th minute, shooting low into the net after an error by defender Christer Basma left him with the ball in the area.

Norway goalkeeper Johnsen, dubbed "Magic Johnsen" for a string of spectacular saves away in the first leg in Valencia, cleared straight onto the head of Etxeberria in the 55th minute. Etxeberria steered the ball over Johnsen into the empty net.

Johnsen, who had hurt his ankle in a first-half fall, was soon replaced by Frode Olsen.

Norway had few chances. Striker Tore Andre Flo headed one ball harmlessly to Casillas and John Arne Riise managed a shot that bounced out for a corner late in the game, when many disheartened Norwegian fans had already left.

Norwegian substitute goalkeeper's Olsen's main feat was to fell a supporter who ran onto the pitch late in the game.

Raul's goal was his 37th goal in 68 games for his country.

"We were the team that really wanted to be there in Portugal," he said. "We have seven months to prepare for the tournament and we can now dream of bringing home the success that Spanish football needs."

NORWAY: E Johnsen (Olsen 61); Basma, Lundekvam, R Johnsen, Stensaas, Iversen, Andresen (F Johnsen 73), Andersen (H Flo 46), Solli, Riise; TA Flo. Subs Not Used: Hangeland, Runar Berg Riseth, Brattbakk. Booked: Iversen.

SPAIN: Casillas; Salgado, Helguera, Cesar, Puyol; Alonso, Albelda (Baraja 84); Etxeberria (Sanchez 77), Valeron (Guiterrez 73), Vicente, Raul. Subs Not Used: Canizares, Bravo, Reyes, Torres. Booked: Albelda. Goals: Raul 34, Vicente 49, Etxeberria 56

Referee: P Collina (Italy).