Wales claimed a first-ever UEFA Nations League League A victory as Dan James and Neco Williams overturned an early deficit to beat Norway 2-1 at Cardiff City Stadium. Craig Bellamy's side, pointless after losses to Portugal and Denmark, answered with a performance that leaves Group 4 wide open behind leaders Portugal.
Match facts
- Result: Wales 2-1 Norway (half-time 1-1)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group 4, Matchday 3
- Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
- Scorers: Wales - D. James 38', N. Williams 48'; Norway - Bobb 11'
- Red cards: Torbjørn Heggem (Norway) 46'
- Attendance: 32,076
- Next: Wales v Denmark, Sunday 4 October; Norway next in Group 4
How the match unfolded
Bellamy made five changes from the Parken defeat, bringing in Ben Cabango, Lewis Koumas, Liam Cullen, Jay Dasilva and Jordan James. Norway, beaten 2-1 by Portugal in Oslo three days earlier, still started Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland.
The visitors struck first. In the 11th minute Ødegaard threaded a return pass into Oscar Bobb, who had spun in behind the Welsh line and poked the ball past Danny Ward at the near post. Wales might have folded; instead they pressed higher and used the width of Sorba Thomas and Dan James.
Cullen forced a close-range save from Ørjan Nyland on 34 minutes and Ethan Ampadu blazed over. A minute later a Norway cross ricocheted off Cabango into Ward's arms — a scare that was soon forgotten. On 38 minutes Cullen intercepted Fredrik Aursnes, Koumas switched play, and Thomas crossed for James to sweep home his 11th international goal and Wales' first of this Nations League campaign.
Fifteen seconds into the second half the night turned decisively. Ben Davies' ball forward left Heggem struggling; the Norway defender dragged James down on the edge of the box and was shown a straight red card. Williams took the free-kick and curled it inside Nyland's right-hand post for 2-1 in the 48th minute.
Norway reshuffled immediately, but Wales stayed on the front foot. Haaland headed over under pressure from Davies on 58 minutes; Thomas and James almost added a third before Nyland saved. Late on, Haaland finally forced Ward into a save from Marcus Pedersen's cross, and substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen curled just over. Wales held on through four minutes of stoppage time.
What it means
At the midway point of League A Group 4, Portugal sit clear on nine points. Denmark, Norway and Wales are locked on three points each, with Wales bottom only on goal difference (−2). The win is Wales' first in League A at the ninth attempt and their first of 2026, ending a six-match winless run and a spell of eight defeats in 13 internationals before this fixture.
It is also a first victory under Bellamy over a higher-ranked opponent — Norway sat 18th in the world, 20 places above Wales — and a morale boost after absences that included Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson and David Brooks. Haaland, who had scored three times in Norway's first two Nations League matches, was largely smothered by Davies and Cabango.
What happens next
Wales host Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday looking to climb the group. Norway continue searching for a response after back-to-back League A defeats to Portugal and Wales.