Norway vs England, International Friendly

· International Friendly

Norway

FT
0 - 1

England

9': Ashley Young

About

Norway are hosting England at Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway, starting on . The match is a part of the International Friendly.

Match Timeline

0': Join us at 1945 BST for live text commentary of Roy Hodgson's first game in charge of England, as the Three Lions travel to Norway for a pre-Euro 2012 friendly.
0': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0525/stevengerrard&royhodgson_275x155.jpg"> Steven Gerrard will lead England out against Norway after being selected as Hodgson's captain.
0': England will be hoping to avoid further injury problems ahead of the Euros after seeing <a href="http://espnfc.com/en/news/1078443/league/UEFA.EURO/season/2012" target="_blank">goalkeeper John Ruddy ruled out already this week. </a>
0': BREAKING: England - Green, Jones, Baines, Jagielka, Lescott, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Carroll, Young, Downing.
0': The big news there is the inclusion of Phil Jagielka (currently only on standby for the Euros. Milner and Downing also start, ahead of Gareth Barry and Theo Walcott.
0': Before tonight's game, why not read senior editor John Brewin's preview <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=337009&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>
0': The first test then for Roy Hodgson's new regime. He hasn't had long to work with his players, but lets see what he can do. Chelsea's Champions League winners still to come.
0': England: Green, Jones, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Downing, Young, Carroll. Subs: Hart, Kelly, Henderson, Barry, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Defoe, Adam Johnson.
0': Norway: Jarstein, Hogli, Demidov, Hangeland, Riise, Tettey, Elyounoussi, Henriksen, Pedersen, Braaten, Abdellaoui. Subs: Pettersen, Madsen, Ruud, Grindheim, Huseklepp, Jenssen, Berisha.
0': Roy Hodgson says he is "pleased to have such tough fixtures" and that he will play a different team next week against Belgium.
0': The Ullevaal is bathed in sunshine, it's a perfect evening for football. The teams are in the tunnel, let's get going!
0': England last won in the Ullevaal in 1966, ahead of the World Cup. Can Roy Hodgson emulate the great Sir Alf Ramsey?
0': Here they come, out the tunnel. Norway in their traditional red, England in blue.
0': Time for the national anthems...
0': The sing-songs are over, a few more processes to complete then we can play ball!
0': The captains shake-hands and everyone is in position...
1': KICK OFF!
1': Lively start from Norway and Stewart Downing gives away a free-kick. Norway take it short.
2': Parker steals in and England have the ball for the first time. What can they do?
3': Scrappy, relentless start. Both teams trying to play the ball, but failing to keep the ball. Should settle down soon.
4': Excellent! Downing down the left and a sublime cross finds Carroll whose diving header is narrowly wide.
5': Encouraging that for England. Liverpool fans must be wondering where that's been hiding...
6': Norway not giving England any time and pushing forward. We may be in for a decent game...
7': England trying to play keep-ball, that is until Parker over-hits a long-ball forward.
8': Carroll looks to pick out a through-ball for Ashley Young, but big Brede Hangeland comes out quickly to intercept.
9': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> GOAL Norway 0-1 England (Young) Brilliant from the Man Utd player, running at his defender he ties him in knots with a feinted shot. On his left foot he coolly slots home.
10': Great start for England then. Roy Hodgson will be very pleased so far.
12': Norway look to respond immediately and it's Markus Henriksen with a powerful drive from a narrow angle. Well saved by Rob Green. One to watch, the Rosenborg youngster.
13': Morten Gamst Pedersen hits the post! The Blackburn midfielder swings in a corner from the right and it's almost an 'Olympic goal' as the ball rattles the near-post.
14': England look to attack down the right, but James Milner's cross is headed well clear. Needs to do better.
15': Difficult chance for Ashley Young, but he will be disappointed. Chipped over the top by Gerrard and Young looks to volley home from the edge of the area, but sliced over.
16': England clear the Elyounoussi's corner this time. Milner at the near-post.
17': England not keeping the ball too well yet. Some lively moves finishing with a sloppy pass.
18': Daniel Braaten almost capitalises, heading well over as Norway came forward on the counter.
19': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0526/andycarrollheadervnorway_800x450.jpg"> England's Andy Carroll attempts a header against Norway
20': Norway passing the ball well in midfield. Alexander Tettey sitting at the base and spreading the play.
21': Riise causes problems down the England right, firing a low cross across the face of goal. Jagielka does well to clear.
23': Andy Carroll linking well with Young in attack. England finally keeping the ball for an extended period. Until Gerrard gives the ball away with an ambitious long-ball.
24': Henriksen almost causes England problems with a clever little back-heel to Elyounoussi who can't bring it under control.
25': England look to play out of defence and win a free-kick as Pedersen fouls Gerrard. Some encouraging moments.
26': Downing produces another good cross from the left, just punched clear by Jarstein with Carroll lurking.
27': Milner plays Carroll down the right wing area and Young is free in the centre, but the pass is over-hit. Young retrieves and crosses, headed clear.
28': England come again. This is a good 3-4 minute spell for the visitors.
29': Parker looks to play Baines down the left, cut out by the defence, but it's a corner.
30': Swung in by Gerrard from the left, headed clear by Hangeland.
31': Good football from England again. Parker and Gerrard spread the ball to Jones on the right whose cross is good, but claimed by Jarstein.
32': Henriksen lines up another shot for Norway, blocked by Parker. Can't afford to give the 19-year-old too much space.
33': Good break from England. Having halted the Norwegian attack, Young frees Milner down the right and he cuts back, before firing low at goal with his left-foot. Saved.
34': England dealing well with Norway's attacks so far. Sitting deep and stepping in at the right time.
35': Cheap corner conceded by Carroll, but makes amends with an important clearance from Pedersen's corner.
36': Abdellaoue, off the back of a good season for Hannover, takes a swing at goal from 20 yards. Not too far wide.
37': Gerrard is a lucky man. Tackles Hogli cleanly but the follow through is studs-up on the ankle. No booking and it wasn't malicious, but he is very fortunate to not receive a card.
38': Delay as Hogli is treated and hobbles off...
40': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Espen Ruud replaces Hogli
40': Shame for Hogli. England go back to keeping the ball in defence, but there have been some sloppy passes in the last few minutes
41': Norway come forward, but look to carry very little threat except the invention of Henriksen.
42': England looking tight without the ball at the back, but the passing is poor. Gerrard this time.
43': Espen Ruud gets down the right for Norway, his cross is blocked by Baines. Corner-kick.
44': Gerrard rises at the front-post and heads Pedersen's corner to safety. Still Norway ball.
45': One minute of added-time...
45': Riise fires a free-kick into the area from range. Well claimed by Robert Green.
45': HALF TIME Norway 0-1 England
0': That's four goals in his last four games for Ashley Young. His seventh at international level.
0': Gerrard was the subject of pantomime boos from the home-crowd after that poor challenge. Need to avoid suspensions ahead of the Euros.
0': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0526/ashleyyoungscoresvnorway_800x450.jpg"> Ashley Young scores England's opening goal against Norway
0': Seeing that Gerrard tackle again - he would be off in a competitive game.
0': Hearing Gareth Barry will replace Gerrard for the second-half
0': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gareth Barry replaces Steven Gerrard
46': SECOND HALF kicks-off
46': Barry loses the ball with his first-touch. Needs to get into the game.
47': Ashley Young terrifies Brede Hangeland once more and they have a free-kick 20 yards out. Baines looking to take.
48': It is Baines! A cheeky effort aiming low for the near-post, but Jarstein gets down well to save.
49': Jones hits the post! Powerful run from England's right-back, deflecting off Hangeland and striking the post.
50': Good opening to the second-half for England, Norway will need to up their levels a bit once more.
51': Morten Gamst Pedersen has a strike from 25 yards and England will know all about his ability, but it flies wide of the post.
52': A good response from Norway after. Keeping the ball much better now.
53': Good defending from Phil Jones after Ruud crossed well from the Norway right. Cleared well.
54': Norway still stroking the ball around well. The midfield are all very comfortable on the ball.
55': Corner comes in from the right. Carroll just heads clear ahead of Demidov at the back post.
56': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Walcott replaces Parker
56': Milner moves into a central role then, alongside Barry. Walcott on the right.
57': England now need Milner and Barry to get a grip on this game. All Norway in past five minutes.
58': Braaten cuts in off the right flank and gets a shot in, blocked by Milner. Was given acres of space to shoot by the England defence.
60': England finally get hold of the ball and look to release Walcott. The Arsenal man hesitates with space ahead of him. Thow-in to England.
61': Norway come again. They must be well ahead on possession this half.
62': Riise! Brilliant from the left-back, chesting the ball down, beating Walcott with ease and unleashing a rocket at goal. Green saves.
63': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Grindheim replaces Gamst Pedersen
64': Pathetic stuff from England at times. Barry launches another hopeless ball forward. Poor second-half so far.
65': Unfortunately there is no composure from England. It is just wave after wave of Norway attacks, however tame they may be.
66': Abdellaoue almost capitalises on a scrappy piece of play. A hint of handball from the Norwegian, but Jagielka is quick to get across and tackle.
67': Corner swung in from the right. Green claims.
68': Grindheim blasts well over the bar as the ball falls kindly 20 yards out. Great work once more from Riise on the left.
69': Norway are playing very well still. Pass, pass, pass. Elyounoussi really influencing play.
70': Long throw from Riise towards Hangeland, Lescott heads clear. Ruud fires in a shot, deflected for a corner.
71': Corner cleared by Barry. Another Riise long-throw comes in and Carroll heads the ball away
72': Now an England corner. Downing eventually gets a cross away, deflected into the side netting. Corner punched away by Jarstein.
73': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Ashley Young; Jordan Henderson on for Barry
74': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Huseklepp replaces Daniel Braaten
74': Almost an immediate impact for Oxlade-Chamberlain, a lovely cushioned pass to Walcott, whose drag-back is not quite as effective.
75': Positive stuff from Green, coming out of goal to claim Riise's long-throw.
76': Oxlade-Chamberlain's second touch for England isn't so good, losing the ball. Here come Norway again.
77': Corner to Norway after a good block from James Milner.
78': Riise crosses and Henriksen tries to loft the ball back in from the far-post. Too hard though and the ball is cleared.
79': England come forward, but once more there is very little quality to the attack. Sloppy passing could cost them a win.
80': Elyounoussi has been excellent for Norway, tracking back this time to get a tackle in on Oxlade-Chamberlain to stop England's counter.
81': Walcott runs at the defence, coming in off the right flank and it opens up for a shot. Side-footed tamely to Jarstein.
82': England passing the ball around better now. Can they finish the game on a high?
83': Jones does well to make space and crosses from the right, headed clear by Hangeland. The ball bounces outside the area and Henderson clatters into Henriksen. Free-kick.
84': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Valon Berisha replaces Markus Henriksen - One 19-year-old for another
85': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Adam Johnson replaces Stewart Downing
85': The rhythm of the game has been lost with all the substitutions, but Norway are on the ball again.
86': Elyounoussi does well again, gets a shot away and Lescott turns the ball behind for a corner. Riise takes and Green punches away.
87': Lovely pass from Adam Johnson towards Theo Walcott who would be clear of the defence, but is flagged offside.
88': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Martin Kelly replaces Phil Jones
89': Martin Kelly immediately wins a header against John Arne Riise. But, the Norwegian felt that. Slight delay.
90': Walcott gets clear down the right and has time to pick his cross. Straight to Jarstein in the Norway goal however.
90': <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Yttergard Jenssen replaces Tetteh in the Nowegian midfield
90': Ruud fires a very hopeful ball forward toward Abdellaoue. Goal-kick.
90': A tepid ending to this game. Little happening. If Norway had more of an attacking threat, they would be a dangerous side.
90': Adam Johnson has a final attempt for England, ignoring those around him to shoot at goal. Straight at Jarstein
90': FULL TIME Norway 0-1 England
0': Ashley Young's early goal gives England the win. Much to improve on ahead of next week's encounter with Belgium
0': Positives in the first-half, principally the performance of Young, Downing and Carroll. Jagielka also a stand-out performer.
0': That's it then. See you next week at Wembley!

Statistics

ENG		NOR
7	Fouls	5
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
3	Offsides	0
2	Corner Kicks	10
4	Saves	4
44.5	Possession	55.5
8	SHOTS	18
5	ON GOAL	4
0.6	On Target %	0.2
0	Penalty Goals	0
0	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
364	Accurate Passes	479
441	Passes	557
0.8	Pass Completion %	0.9
1	Accurate Crosses	2
16	Crosses	29
0.1	Cross %	0.1
54	Long Balls	83
38	Accurate Long Balls	62
0.7	Long Balls %	0.7
1	Blocked Shots	7
12	Effective Tackles	10
16	Tackles	10
0.8	Tackle %	1.0
0	Interceptions	0
16	Effective Clearances	8
32	Clearances	14

Game Information

Competition: International Friendly

Venue: Ullevaal Stadion
Location: Oslo, Norway
Attendance: 21,496

Line-Ups

Norway (4-1-4-1)

No.	Name
1	Rune Jarstein (GK)
5	Brede Hangeland
4	Vadim Demidov
6	John Arne Riise
2	Tom Høgli
11	Morten Pedersen
7	Markus Henriksen
15	Alexander Tettey
21	Daniel Braaten
10	Tarik Elyounoussi
9	Mohammed Abdellaoue

Norway Substitutes:

Ruben Jenssen, Erik Huseklepp, Espen Ruud, Valon Berisha, Espen Bugge Pettersen, Christian Grindheim, Kim Andre Madsen.

England (4-4-1-1)

No.	Name
1	Robert Green (GK)
6	Joleon Lescott
5	Phil Jagielka
3	Leighton Baines
2	Phil Jones
8	Scott Parker
4	Steven Gerrard
11	Stewart Downing
7	James Milner
9	Andy Carroll
10	Ashley Young

England Substitutes:

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, Martin Kelly, Gareth Barry, Jermain Defoe, Jordan Henderson, Joe Hart.

Men's International Friendly News

Paul Okon on any changes to the XI against Paraguay

Socceroos assistant Paul Okon believes Australia will make changes to the starting XI in their final World Cup group stage clash against Paraguay.

Rice hails England's 'frightening' attacking substitutes

Declan Rice reacts to England's 3-0 win over Costa Rica in their final friendly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England sign off WC prep with 3-0 win as Rice, Gordon, Watkins score

Returning Declan Rice set England on course for a morale-boosting 3-0 victory against Costa Rica after a heavy thunderstorm in Orlando delayed their final World Cup warmup match by an hour.

Burley questions if Portugal's Martinez would drop Ronaldo

Craig Burley debates whether Roberto Martinez should drop Cristiano Ronaldo amid growing scrutiny over his place in Portugal's starting lineup.

Argentina wins as Messi scores in cameo in front of 88k in Alabama

Argentine legend Messi, who is working his way back from muscle fatigue ahead of the start of the FIFA World Cup, came on in the 70th minute and scored from the penalty spot right after in his team's 3-0 win over Iceland.