Rekdal rescues Norway

Going into the game the Norwegians were fortunate to have two points but then some people know instinctively how to ride their luck and others acquire the knack along the way. Egil Olsen's side have obviously picked up a thing or two from their previous visits to these finals and last night they showed us that they've become the equivalent of show-jumping champions at that art. As for Scotland, well, they've got another four years to figure out how it is you get your feet in the stirrups.

Morocco, of course, are the ones to feel sorry for in all of this. In their opening game with Norway they were clearly the better side, while last night they did what Olsen's men had been hopelessly incapable of, they beat the Scots. The north Africans had crumbled in the face of Brazil's mastery, though, and for lifting their game and scrapping their way in front over a frantic closing spell, the Norwegians deserve the crack they'll get at the Italians this weekend.

In the build-up to this clash, the optimists in the Norwegian camp were talking about the possibility of progressing even if the team lost by a goal, and it was only after news started filtering down to the bench of Morocco's fine start in Saint Etienne that the word went out a win was imperative.

Even before then there were obvious signs of improvement from the Europeans, however, with Ronny Johnsen commanding at the back, Kjetil Rekdal getting the better of some more illustrious names in the centre and Tore Andre Flo, so marginal in his previous two outings, giving Junior Baiano an awful time around the Brazilian area.

The champions weren't exactly killing themselves to win a game that made no material difference to their title defence but they had their moments, the best of them coming just before the break when Cafu and Ronaldo linked up brilliantly and only a perfectly timed challenge by Rekdal prevented what looked certain to be the opening goal.

First blood did still go to the Brazilians, though. By the 78th minute, Flo had gone close a couple of times and the Brazilian goal, engineered wonderfully by Denilson on the left and finished by Bebeto from just beyond the right hand post looked to have decisively killed off Norway's chances.

It was a bitter blow, for from the time Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had arrived in the 68th minute and Flo had, for the first time a genuine striking partner alongside him, the Norwegians had been having the better of it up front.

After a few close shaves the big centre forward levelled things with just seven minutes remaining. Bjornbye's long ball down the left set him up for a one-on-one with Junior Baiano. The striker won comfortably before turning inside and belting the ball right-footed past Taffarel. Within a matter of seconds he could have added another couple, with his brother, Jostein, setting him up each time, but just before the end he did enough to force Goncalves into handling a tricky ball from the left and Rekdal wrapped up the extra two points from the penalty spot.

"It's incredible," said Olsen afterwards "we didn't think this would be positive, particularly after Brazil scored the opening goal but now, maybe, I'll stay on in this job for a few games more."

A broader opinion poll might come up with a more specific number, one, with Italy looking to have more than enough to see them off next time out. Brazil, on the other hand, still look set to be around for a while. Mario Zagallo made it clear that this defeat didn't upset him too much remarking: "it was only important for them, not for us." Although purist that he is he couldn't resist taking a swipe at the opposition's gameplan.

"It was not just a defeat for Brazil but for the tournament too," he said with increasing agitation. "They played with two defensive lines blocking our way to goal but we must learn from it and move on, Chile is what important now and now we must prepare for them."