UEFA Nations League
Neco Williams leads Wales to upset over Norway
Wales got its Nations League campaign up and running at the third attempt, with Neco Williams' free-kick proving decisive as it fought back to beat 10-man Norway 2-1.… Show More
Wales got its Nations League campaign up and running at the third attempt, with Neco Williams' free-kick proving decisive as it fought back to beat 10-man Norway 2-1.
Craig Bellamy's side was rooted to the bottom of Group A4 after defeats to Portugal and Denmark, and though Oscar Bobb gave it a mountain to climb in Cardiff on Friday, Torbjorn Heggem's red card in the first minute of the second half gave it the impetus to fight back.
Norway received a boost ahead of kick-off as Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard was passed fit to start after falling victim to a rough challenge from Bernardo Silva against Portugal on Monday, and it did not take long for him to get involved.
Eleven minutes in, Bobb played a quick give-and-go with Odegaard near the right corner of the box, then wriggled beyond Ben Davies and finished past Danny Ward.
Norway lost Julian Ryerson to injury soon afterwards, and Wales's Sorba Thomas got some joy against his replacement Marcus Pedersen, though only a lucky bounce off Ben Cabango – which took the ball into Ward's arms – denied Norway a second goal in the 36th minute.
Wales made the most of that reprieve two minutes later, with the ever-dangerous Thomas sliding a ball into the six-yard box to hand Dan James a straightforward finish.
A dream start to the second half then put Wales in complete control. Just 21 seconds after kick-off, James darted in front of the hesitant Heggem and was pushed to the ground, with the Norway centre-back sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
From the resulting free-kick, Williams whipped an inch-perfect effort beyond Orjan Nyland's reach and into the bottom corner, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
Only a good save from Nyland prevented Lewis Koumas from stretching Wales' lead, though the uncharacteristically quiet Erling Haaland then failed to direct a header on target at the other end.
Cabango was arguably fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty for handball and Jorgen Strand Larsen went close from distance as Norway pushed hard for an equaliser late on, but they could not avoid a second straight Nations League defeat.
While Bellamy was pleased with the three points, he took more pride in Wales's display at Cardiff City Stadium.
"Really pleasing. The performance was more important, to look like us," Bellamy said.
"We've worked hard to get to Nations League A and we know the teams are littered and loaded with good players.
"I know we've got a lot of players out, but we still have to be us. So that was nice and was pleasing.
"The last few days in training, we had an identity meeting. I have to give credit to the players, they've been brilliant.
"What do we want to do? Do we want to sit deep and play on counter-attacks or do we want to be aggressive and be on the front foot and keep the ball when we have it?
"That's really it. I think that's us. We do have to punch above our weight, but let's give it a right go. That's always been brought to me as a Welsh person growing up."
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