Norway win to keep up Group H pressure

Norway have beaten Bulgaria 1-0 in their Euro 2016 qualifier thanks to Vegard Forren's first goal for his country to keep up the pressure on the top two in Group H.

The away side started brightly as Forren sent Markus Henriksen clear early on, but the AZ midfielder was flagged offside.

Forren's header from Stefan Johansen's cross was then blocked by a Bulgarian defender, before Ivelin Popov saw his long-range strike saved by Oerjan Nyland.

Yordan Minev poked an effort wide from a corner as the first half wore on, and Jo Inge Berget went close with a header at the other end, but it remained goalless at the break.

However, Norway took the lead just before the hour mark when Forren side-footed home from Johansen's free kick to open his account for his country.

The visitors could have doubled their lead through Alexander Soderlund on 70 minutes, but he sent his header from the lively Johansen's cross just wide.

Forren's goal was enough to secure all three points for Per-Mathias Hogmo's side, who sit third in the group, two points behind second-placed Italy and group leaders Croatia.