Rosenborg 2-1 Hearts: Lawrence Shankland goal gives Scots Europa Conference League hope
- Published
Lawrence Shankland's header gave Hearts hope for the second leg - live on BBC Scotland next Thursday
Lawrence Shankland's late header gave Hearts genuine hope of progressing to the Europa Conference League play-off round despite defeat by Rosenborg in Norway.
A faltering first-half showing from the visitors allowed Rosenborg to establish a two-goal lead through Emil Frederiksen and Jayden Nelson.
But Hearts provided much sterner opposition after the break and began to dominate before their talismanic captain gave them a way back into the tie.
Rosenborg, who had bossed the opening half, held on for the victory but their advantage is considerably more slender than looked likely at one stage.
The second leg will be live on BBC Scotland next Thursday at 19:45 BST, with the winners facing either Hajduk Split or PAOK.
The return of Beni Baningime is undoubtedly a boon for Hearts but the midfielder was bested way too easily by 16-year-old Sverre Nypan for the opening goal.
The teenager evaded Baningime on the bye-line before picking out the inrushing Frederiksen, who bundled in his first goal for the club on just his second start, with Alex Cochrane powerless to prevent the ball crossing the line.
And just as it looked as though Hearts would get to half-time without incurring further damage, Baningime gave the ball away, allowing Rosenborg to counter.
As the former Everton player tried to haul down the advancing Nypan, the youngster slipped the ball to Nelson to convert the second from close range.
Hearts improved after the break, gradually pushing the Norwegians back and, found the back of the net with virtually their first effort on target.
Substitute Stephen Kingsley sent in a wicked delivery from the left and Shankland towered over the Rosenborg defence to head back across Andre Hansen for a second goal of the season.
Player of the match - Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg)
The 16-year-old belied his tender age with a controlled and graceful display, setting up both first-half goals and generally hinting at a promising future
Under-cooked Hearts restore belief after break - analysis
Without wishing to be overly harsh on a player who has missed almost a year-and-a-half of football, the decision to start Baningime backfired.
He looked tentative with his touch and passing and, though the Hearts management team clearly felt he was ready, his rustiness allowed Rosenborg to profit.
His half-time replacement Peter Haring helped steady the ship, allowing Hearts to build a platform from which they began to exert their authority.
Frankie McAvoy had pre-empted the disparity in preparedness for this match and Hearts definitely looked under-cooked compared to an opponent midway through the league season.
But such are the obstacles facing Scottish teams with ambitions of European progress, and Hearts are not the first nor will they be the last to fall foul of this scenario.
Nonetheless, a much-improved second-half showing must give Hearts real belief they can turn the tie on its head at Tynecastle next week.
What they said
Hearts head coach Frankie McAvoy: "We were too safe in possession in the first-half. We asked them to be brave, but a couple wee errors of judgement in transition caught us out, but that's credit to them, they broke with pace.
"Opportunities and chances fell in the second half and as the game wore on, we got a wee bit more of the ball and we started to use it better and in better areas of the pitch.
"We deserved the goal from Lawrence [Shankland] which gives us everything to play for next week at Tynecastle."
What's next?
Hearts host Kilmarnock on Sunday (15:00 BST) before welcoming Rosenborg to Tynecastle next Thursday (19:45 BST).