UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2022/23 Qualifying Round 
Iceland 1-0 Scotland
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
Wednesday, 16 November 2022

Scorers:

Iceland 1: Oskarsson 70'

Scotland 0

As it Happened:

Billy Stark's side began with two dangerous early crosses fizzed across the Iceland goal from either side but there were no takers and moments later their goalkeeper Murray Johnson was called into action as he made a superb double save.

First, he reached an arm out to stop Orri Oskarsson’s chipped attempt when the striker was bearing down one-on-one. He then got up immediately to palm Daniel Freyr Kristjansson’s follow-up effort to safety.

A theme was occurring on Scotland’s right-hand side in the first half as Ben McPherson and Dire Mebude linked up well to cause the Iceland defence problems. 

They were doubling up to produce crosses into the opposition box and a McPherson pull back, which dropped to Mackenzie Carse, had the Firhill crowd rising to their feet but they could only watch on as his shot dragged narrowly wide.

Iceland had the ball in the Scotland net ten minutes before half time and again Oskarsson was involved as his through ball split the defence to slip Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson through on goal.

He duly powered the ball past Johnson but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The second half was a much more open affair with Scotland starting with plenty of attempts on Iceland’s goal, as Kieran Offord and Josh Adam both had shots well matched by Hallfor Snaer Georgsson in the opposition net.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 70th minute by Iceland with a well taken effort by Oskarsson who, after being put through on goal by substitute Adolf Dao, tried his luck from a tight angle, and his gamble paid off as the ball flew into the roof of the net by Murray Johnsons’ near post.

Their lead would have doubled moments later if it wasn’t for the repeated heroics of the Scotland keeper as he stretched a leg out to divert Mikaelsson’s goal bound attempt wide.

Scotland continued to push for a goal, and they were so nearly rewarded in the final minute of added time when substitute Barry Hepburn found himself inside the six-yard box but with the angle tight and an onrushing goalkeeper bearing down on him his effort came crashing back off the post as the referee blew for full time seconds later.

Match report by Alister Bean

Next Up

Billy Stark's side now turn their attention to Saturday, when they will welcome Kazakhstan to Somerset Park. 

That match kicks off at 3pm and it will also be live on the Scotland National Team social media channels, with commentary from Andrew Maclean and Rory Loy.

Scotland Line Up

Scotland: Johnson, McPherson, Anderson, Smith, Duncan, Carse, Pollock (Ure 86’), Adam (Wales 87’), Awokoya-Mebude, Offord (Hepburn 64’), Blaney

Unused substitutes: MacFarlane, Harkness, Towler, Allan, Reid, Aiken