Neco Williams’ free‑kick earns Wales 2-1 win over 10-man Norway in Cardiff

Wales came from behind to beat 10-man Norway 2-1 in Cardiff in the Nations League on 1 October 2026, with Neco Williams’ second-half free‑kick securing the victory and the three points.

Craig Bellamy’s side registered their first win this year against a Norway team he described as “one of the best teams in the world and one riding the crest of a wave after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.” The crowd directed a chant at Erling Haaland — “You’re just a shit Kieffer Moore,” — as Wales welcomed several changes to the XI following Sunday’s defeat in Denmark, including the return of Lewis Koumas.

Norway took the lead through Oscar Bobb after Martin Ødegaard created the opening. Ødegaard took the ball from Sander Berge and played a weighted pass behind Ben Davies; Bobb ran beyond Davies and finished at the near post past Danny Ward.

Wales levelled before half-time when Liam Cullen won possession from Berge following a pass intended for Fredrik Aursnes. Cullen and Lewis Koumas moved the ball forward and Sorba Thomas’s low cross found Daniel James, who beat David Møller Wolfe to the ball to score Wales’ first goal of the campaign.

Seventeen seconds into the second half Torbjørn Heggem was sent off by referee Alejandro Hernández for hauling down James as the Leeds winger broke into the box. From the subsequent free‑kick on the edge of the area, Neco Williams struck a right‑foot shot into the bottom corner beyond Ørjan Nyland to put Wales ahead and earn Craig Bellamy’s side the three points.

Erling Haaland had a subdued game, registering 11 first-half touches, the fewest of any player, and saw an early chance go begging when Marcus Pedersen, who replaced the injured Julian Ryerson after 16 minutes, misread his movement. Haaland rose to meet a Marcus Pedersen cross around the 58th minute but did not make clean contact, and later headed straight at Danny Ward when unmarked.

Norway threatened at times — Kristoffer Ajer diverted a Sorba Thomas cross for a corner, Ben Cabango was relieved when a Sander Berge cross ricocheted off him into Ward’s hands, and Ståle Solbakken introduced Jørgen Strand Larsen and Antonio Nusa with 15 minutes remaining. Wales also missed a clear chance when substitute Josh Sheehan fired a weak shot at Nyland after Thomas set him through.

The result delivered Wales three points and their first victory of the year in the Nations League.