Spain in control after Berg own goal

Spain 2 Norway 1

Spain 2 Norway 1

Spain needed a late Henning Berg own goal to clinch a 2-1 win over Norway in an electrifying Euro 2004 playoff first leg on Saturday that leaves them with plenty of work to do to reach the finals in Portugal.

Norway took the lead when Steffen Iversen, the man who scored their winner when the two sides met in Euro 2000, converted from close range after Roar Strand's header back into the box had split the Spanish defence after 14 minutes.

Raul equalised with a glancing header from a Jose Antonio Reyes free kick seven minutes later and Spain had countless chances to clinch victory over the remainder of the game.

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Norway kept Spain at bay with resolute defending and great goalkeeping from Espen Johnsen until the 85th minute when Ruben Baraja met Joaquin's cross from the left and the ball deflected into the roof of the net off Berg.

The result gives Spain the slimmest of leads in the two-legged play-off and with the second leg to come in Oslo on Wednesday Norway remain well placed to cause an upset.