Bellamy says he 'felt the stick' after Wales come from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in Nations League A

Craig Bellamy said he had "felt the stick" after leading Wales to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Norway at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday in the Nations League, securing the country's first win in League A in their ninth top-tier game.

Bellamy, who was appointed national boss in July 2024, had overseen a six-game winless run that began with defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off semi-final in March. He faced criticism from some fans after holding talks over a potential move to Burnley in June. The Norway result was Wales' first win in the Nations League top tier and their first victory against a nation ranked higher in the world since he took charge.

Wales came from behind to defeat a Norway side reduced to 10 men, winning 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium. The result ended the sequence of matches without a win that had weighed on the squad and staff during Bellamy's early tenure.

Asked whether the victory had lifted a weight from him, Bellamy said he had "felt the stick" since the Bosnia loss and outlined the toll of criticism: "The summer wasn't easy, then these games weren't easy," he said. "But I've seen it; I've drawn on experience because I've seen managers before me get it.

"I've been part of that, and I've seen the abuse. I've seen the abuse the previous manager got just before me, and I have to be honest, it's been a really difficult couple of months."

Bellamy said the negativity had affected his family and appealed for more considerate discourse: "It's not me but I have kids and a wife; it's for them - they see it," he said. "I've lived in this environment and I had it as a player, but I think there's ways we can speak to people, and just because it's the game we love, it doesn't give us the right to think we can say whatever we want.

"We're such a small country, I'm like... why can't we have each other's backs? Why don't we look after each other more? Maybe that's me. I'm not saying everyone's above criticism, far from it. But I think it's too easy, and we're too quick."

Reflecting on the mood after the morale-boosting win, Bellamy said he did not "want to spoil" the upbeat atmosphere and stressed his commitment to the job: "I'm really happy with it, but I'm happy for the country, you understand?" he added. "It's like, I give everything for my country. Everything. I turned down big money to keep doing this. I love doing this."

Wales' next match is scheduled for Sunday, 4 October, 19:45 BST, live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.