Wales' hopes of staying in the top flight of the UEFA Nations League suffered a major blow after a 3-1 defeat to Norway in Oslo. Goals from Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland left Wales bottom of their League A group, requiring a win over group leaders Portugal at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.
Positive start but missed chances
Wales made four changes from the defeat to Denmark, and Brennan Johnson nearly marked his 50th cap in style after just three minutes, skipping past Julian Ryerson before clipping in a cross that Harry Wilson diverted wide. Daniel James also had three good chances before the break, including a drilled shot that stung the palms of Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Norway's Torbjorn Heggem, who was sent off in the reverse fixture, nearly made amends on 15 minutes but couldn't keep a cushioned volley down from Martin Odegaard's corner. Erling Haaland, who was largely kept quiet in the first half, cut a frustrated figure as he trudged off at half-time.
Norway strike after the break
Wales continued to look positive after the interval, with Johnson lashing an effort into the side-netting. However, Norway took the lead on the hour when Joe Rodon headed Ryerson's corner away only as far as Nusa, who eased James out the way before rifling home a low shot.
Substitute Schjelderup made it two nearly 10 minutes later, tucking home after being teed up inside the box by Haaland. Welsh optimism was further dented by the sight of Neco Williams limping off with a suspected injury, which, given the suspension to Ethan Ampadu, will be of concern to boss Craig Bellamy ahead of Tuesday's clash.
Brooks pulls one back but Haaland seals it
Substitute David Brooks got Wales back into the game with a sublime chip over the keeper after being found by Wilson's through-ball. Karl Darlow produced a fine save to deny Odegaard as Norway looked to restore their two-goal advantage.
Two minutes from time, substitute Connor Roberts was penalised for a shove on Schjelderup inside the area, and Haaland duly fired home the resulting spot kick. Nusa would have made it four late on were it not for a fine save from Darlow, while Haaland was denied on the rebound by Davies.
The result leaves Wales bottom of their group, needing a win over Portugal on Tuesday to have any chance of staying in the top tier of the Nations League.
