Norway beats Cyprus 3-1 in World Cup qualifier

Norway beats Cyprus 3-1 in World Cup qualifier

Published Oct. 16, 2012 5:53 p.m. ET

Goals from Brede Hangeland, Tarik El Younoussi and Joshua King gave Norway a 3-1 away win over Cyprus in a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday.

Cyprus opened the score in the 42nd minute when midfielder Stathis Aloneftis' looping cross eluded Norway's diving goalkeeper Rune Jarstein.

But Norway equalized two minutes later when an unmarked Hangeland picked up a loose ball in front of goal after a failed Cypriot clearance and easily scored.

The Norwegians went ahead in the 81st when El Younoussi converted from the penalty spot after King was judged to have been brought down in the box.

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King scored a couple of minutes later with a low, close-range shot after evading several Cypriot defenders with a fine individual run.

Norway has seven points after four games in Group E, while Cyprus has three points.

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