Haaland penalty completes Norway’s 3-1 Nations League win over Wales

Norway moved to six points in Group 4 of League A in the UEFA Nations League after beating Wales 3-1 in a match which came to life after half-time.

Wales remain on three points after a goalless opening period, despite creating several early opportunities. Harry Wilson missed a chance in the second minute after a Brennan Johnson cross, while Daniel James went close in the 18th and 22nd minutes. Egil Selvik then saved from James in the 43rd minute.

Norway also threatened before the break. Antonio Nusa won a free-kick in the fourth minute and was involved in two further attacks, while Thilo Osgaard headed wide in the 19th minute. Martin Ødegaard saw an effort blocked in the 14th minute and again in the 27th, with Nusa missing another opportunity in the 29th.

The contest was briefly interrupted in the 35th minute when James required treatment for an injury. Norway won a corner in the 31st minute and Torbjørn Heggem had earlier gone close from another set-piece in the 15th, but neither side could find a goal before the interval, including during one minute of added time.

Wales started the second half positively, with Johnson shooting wide in the 48th minute. Norway gradually increased the pressure, and Sander Berge had two attempts in the 54th minute before a corner led to the opening goal in the 59th.

Nusa collected the ball from the set-piece and finished with his right foot into the bottom-left corner of Carl Darlow’s goal.

Norway doubled their advantage in the 68th minute. Erling Haaland found Andreas Schjelderup inside the penalty area, and the substitute placed a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.

Schjelderup and Patrick Berg had both entered for Norway in the 66th minute, while Mark Harris replaced Lewis Koumas for Wales in the 64th. Wales made three further substitutions in the 72nd minute, bringing on David Brooks, Rob Page? Wait source says Rob? “Robin Colwill and Connor Roberts” use Rubin Colwill. Need no typo. David Brooks, Rubin Colwill and Connor Roberts.

Wales continued to search for a response. Selvik saved from Harris in the 65th minute, stopped Ethan Ampadu’s effort in the 76th and denied Colwill in the 79th. Wales finally pulled one back in the same minute when Brooks met Harry Wilson’s pass and fired left-footed into the bottom-right corner.

Norway remained dangerous, with Darlow saving from Ødegaard in the 84th minute. A minute later, Schjelderup was fouled inside the area by Roberts, who was booked, and Norway were awarded a penalty.

Haaland took responsibility in the 88th minute, sending his left-footed effort into the bottom-right corner to restore Norway’s two-goal lead. Wilson was also cautioned in the 87th minute.

Johnson shot wide after a pass from Ben Davies in the 89th minute, while six minutes of added time were signalled. Haaland was caught offside in the first minute of stoppage time, but Norway held on to secure a 3-1 victory.