With Spain being held by Yugoslavia it meant Nils Johan Semb's side would go through by virtue of beating the Spaniards in their opening game.

Slovenia knew they had to score in the second period if they were to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals and a tie with either France or Holland.

Semb was able to welcome back Steffen Iversen, goal-hero for Norway against Spain, the Spurs striker having recovered from the broken nose he sustained in the 1-0 loss against Yugoslavia on Sunday.

Slovenia, needing a win to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, were quickly on the offensive with playmaker Zlatko Zahovic the creative force.

But the tournament outsiders suffered a blow in the 10th minute when midfielder Miran Pavlin was stretchered off after a clash of heads.

Norway defeated Slovenia 4-0 and 2-1 in their qualifying group for Euro 2000 and knew a win would definitely see them into the last eight, but they were finding it tough in the early stages.

Slovenia were able to welcome back Pavlin after 18 minutes and they needed his presence in midfield as the Norwegians came into the game strongly after a sluggish start.

Norway forced four corners in quick succession but despite the aerial threat of Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo they were unable to make their dominance count.

Erik Mykland then became the first player to go into referee Graham Poll's notebook as tempers flared in midfield which meant the Panathinaikos dynamo would miss the quarter-final tie should Norway go through.

It was then Norway's turn to lose a man with Flo forced to leave the field winded after taking a blow to the midriff.

A fit-again Flo returned to the field, but Slovenia then almost opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Pavlin let fly with his left foot from 25 yards and his swerving effort had Norwegian and Everton keeper Thomas Myhre beaten but went just the wrong side of the post.

Norway hit back immediately with a cleverly-worked free-kick that resulted in Iversen volleying narrowly wide from 20 yards with Mladen Dabanovic beaten in the Slovenia goal.

Another corner for the Norwegians followed but again Bjornbye's left-foot curler was cleared unceremoniously by the Slovenian rear-guard.

Pavlin then became the second player to have his name taken by Poll after bodychecking John Carew, which meant he would be ineligible for his side should they reach the last eight.