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Armstrong scores in Scotland's EUROs send off

2023-24/Other/International/GettyImages-1802765270_xqlmrm

Stuart Armstrong was on target in Scotland's final qualifying game ahead of their fourth-ever European Championships appearance next summer.

Having already safely sealed their progression to next summer's EUROs, Scotland hosted Norway in a dramatic final Group A game.

Armstrong started and played 70 minutes at Hampden Park as the two sides were level after an eventful first half.

Aron Dønnum gave the visitors a third minute lead and Aston Villa's John McGinn levelled from the penalty spot, before a Jørgen Strand Larsen strike and a Leo Østigard own goal saw the scores tied at 2-2 at half-time.

Then, just before the hour mark, Armstrong put the Tartan Army ahead for the first time with a fantastic, battling run and finish.

Saints' midfielder refused to give up on possession near the corner flag, beat two defenders and exchanged passes with McGinn in the area before placing the ball into the bottom corner.

There was one more twist in the tale as, with Armstrong already substituted, former Saint Mohamed Elyounoussi equalised in the 86th-minute to ensure the points were shared.

The final group standings remained unchanged as Scotland qualified in second place for next summer's tournament in Germany.

Elsewhere, earlier in the day, Joe Aribo started in Nigeria's second World Cup qualifying match as the Super Eagles travelled to Zimbabwe.

Aribo's side trailed at half time to Walter Musona's spectacular free-kick, but Saints' man was involved in the second-half response.

He lofted a neat pass to Nantes' Moses Simon who in turn teed up Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho to equalise just after the hour mark, as the game ended level with Nigeria sitting second in Group C.