In what was Luis de la Fuente’s first game since taking charge of Spain, Dani Olmo gave the hosts an early lead before substitute Joselu added a late brace on his international debut to clinch what was a highly entertaining clash.
A Norwegian side minus Erling Haaland, with the City striker having had to withdraw from their squad earlier this week, created a number of excellent chances in either half.
Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes and Marcus Pedersen all went close before Alexander Sorloth spurned a fine opportunity to level with nine minutes to go and the score still only 1-0.
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However, it was the hosts who prevailed with Olmo’s early strike edging them ahead on 13 minutes, the RB Leipzig star guiding home a fine shot with the outside of his right foot.
And with the visitors pressing for a leveller, substitute Joselu then struck twice in 60 seconds on 84 and 85 minutes to clinch victory for the Spaniards and get de la Fuente’s reign off to a winning start.
Spain continue their qualifying campaign on Tuesday, March 28 when they travel to tackle Scotland at Hampden Park, kick off 7.45pm while Norway are away to Georgia, kick-off 5pm.
Earlier, Manuel Akanji played for 82 minutes as Switzerland began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a dominant 5-0 win away to Belarus.
It was a stress-free afternoon for the City defender in a game that was played in Novi Sad, Serbia with Renato Steffen hitting a first half hat-trick before Granit Xhaka and Mohamad Zeki Amdouni also found the target after the break.
The Swiss got their Group I campaign off to a flying start as they raced into a two goal lead inside the first 20 minutes in central Europe.
Lugano winger Steffen powered Murat Yakin’s side into a fourth minute lead, steering a left footed strike into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Steffen then doubled his and Switzerland’s advantage on 17 minutes as he guided home another precise left foot shot.
And a minute before the half hour mark, Steffen bagged his treble as he steered home from close range with the Belarus defence in disarray once more.
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The Swiss maintained their dominance after the break with Arsenal midfielder Xhaka further extending their advantage just past the hour with a shot from outside the box.
And on 65 minutes, FC Basel’s Mohamed Zeki Amdouni also got in on the scoring act, with Xhaka providing the assist before Akanji made way on 82 minutes with the points in the bag.
Switzerland are in qualifying action again on Tuesday, March 28 when they play host to Israel, kick-off 7.45pm
