Wales vs Norway. UEFA Nations League Group A4. Report as Wales beat Norway 2-1 in their Nations League Group A4 tie; goals from Daniel James and Neco Williams helped turn the game around after Oscar Bobb put Norway ahead; victory is Wales’ first in a Nations League A group Wales responded to their disappointing defeat to Denmark with a spirited victory over Erling Haaland and 10-man Norway in Cardiff. Craig Bellamy had admitted he was hurt by the performance against the Danes as his side continued their winless start to their Nations League campaign.
However, after a slow start, the Dragons showed their heart by producing an unerring display in front of their home fans to turn around an early deficit to secure three points. The big news pre-match was that Erling Haaland started for the visitors in his first game since Manchester City were found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission. Haaland was largely anonymous though, and it was another former City man in Oscar Bobb who opened the scoring in the worst possible start for Bellamy’s men. However, the setback appeared to galvanise the hosts, who responded brilliantly.
Sorba Thomas looked unstoppable down the left-hand side, and after a number of dangerous crosses came to nothing, he found his mark shortly before the half with Daniel James sliding home an equaliser. James was at the heart of a chaotic opening few minutes of the second half. Torbjorn Heggem fell asleep at the restart, and was forced to pull down James as he looked to nip in and bear down on goal just 15 seconds into the half. The defender was shown his marching orders, and Neco Williams smashed home the resulting free-kick low to the goalkeeper’s right to turn the game on its head.
Wales had numerous chances to extend their lead and failure to do so made for a nervy ending. However, they held on to secure their maiden Nations League A victory. 11: GOAL! Bobb gives Norway early lead after silky Odegaard assist. 17: INJURY! Ryerson forced off early on, with Sorba Thomas toying with replacement Holmgren Pedersen for remainder of the half. 28: CHANCE!
Wicked Thomas cross nearly put into own net by Ajer. 38: GOAL! Thomas finally gets his reward as he sets up James for equaliser. 46: RED CARD! Heggem dismissed 15 seconds into second half for dragging down James. 48: GOAL! Williams completes comeback with resulting free-kick. 59: CHANCE!
Haaland heads over from close range. 71: WIDE! Thomas misses target in search of deserved goal. 81: HAALAND CHANCE! Striker heads straight at Ward. Wales defender Neco Williams speaking with BBC Sport: “We knew the first two games wasn’t us.
The principles, the standards. We knew we had to put it right today. “We analysed, we were looking at what went wrong in the first two games. We worked in training and we had to put that right.
Obviously that worked. “Going 1-0 down early, it is easy for heads to drop. How we felt in the last two games, it was easy to do that again. But we never did.
We kept going and we deserved to win in the end.” “I think it was more instinct. Looking at the goalkeeper’s position and where the wall is. You just decide what’s best. Going across the goalkeeper was the best tonight.” On beating a team the level of Norway: “It’s massive for us.
Everyone saw how well they played at the World Cup and how good they are as a nation. They’ve got world-class players. We can do it against these top nations. We have to look forward now until the next game.” Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
