Last-gasp leveller leaves Croatia flat in Oslo

Tarik Elyounoussi scored a last-gasp equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Norway against UEFA EURO 2012 hopefuls Croatia in the visitors' last friendly before travelling to the finals.

Eduardo seemed to have earned Slaven Bilić's men a morale-boosting win when he headed in with just ten minutes to go, but there was a sting in the tail for Croatia as Norway restored parity in added time. Bilić will now be hoping for better against the Republic of Ireland next Sunday.

Indeed, Croatia struggled for most of the game, with Luka Modrić left out after missing training due to concerns about his fitness. Vedran Ćorluka was also rested as he reported feeling back pain a few days ago, while Ivan Rakitić covered for Modrić in midfield and Ivan Perišić operated on the left wing.

Bilić's rejigged lineup had trouble breaking through Norway's defences and they created precious few chances to score. Meanwhile, Croatia's rearguard was given a torrid time by the home side and it was down to goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa that the scoreline remained level at the break.

Norway also threatened through Erik Huseklepp after 56 minutes, the midfielder having been fed the ball from the right. One on one with Pletikosa, he nonetheless sent his effort over the crossbar.

If that was good news for Croatia, bad news soon followed as Ivica Olić asked to be substituted with 71 minutes gone as a precautionary measure due to a muscle strain. Ivo Iličević came on in his place and the visitors went ahead shortly afterwards, Eduardo heading in a cross from his FC Shakhtar Donetsk team-mate Darijo Srna. Norway had the final word, though, with Elyounoussi nodding in from a corner.