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    Norway vs. Cymru | 2027 UEFA Nations League – League phase – GrpA4

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Craig Bellamy and the Cymru squad thank the Red Wall for their support in Oslo

        2. MATCH SUMMARY

          Goals from Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and a penalty from who else but Erling Haaland earned Norway a valuable 3-1 victory in Oslo to leave Cymru bottom of the group with one match remaining.

          The return of Harry Wilson, Joe Rodon and goalkeeper Karl Darlow enabled head coach Craig Bellamy to name a strong starting line-up, with Wilson making his 70th senior international appearance. There was also a cap milestone for Brennan Johnson as he made his 50th appearance for his country.

          Cymru went into the match with the head-to-head advantage over Norway at the bottom of Group A4 following the 2-1 win in Cardiff last month. Cymru started the better of the two sides with Johnson crossing for Wilson in the opening exchanges, but he failed to make a strong connection with the ball.

          Nusa provided the creativity for Norway, and he asked a couple of early questions of the Cymru defence, but Darlow remained untroubled. However, captain Ben Davies had to make a crucial interception to deny Haaland from getting on the end of a teasing cross from Nusa.

          Torbjørn Heggem connected with an effort from the resulting corner on 15 minutes, but Cymru began to assert themselves on the match and looked particularly dangerous on the counter-attack. Dan James had two chances midway through the half but put both of his efforts wide of the post.

          A late challenge from Ethan Ampadu was rewarded with a yellow card that will rule the influential midfielder out of Tuesday’s final group match against Portugal in Cardiff on Tuesday night.

          Norway had prolonged spells of possession around the Cymru area, but their frustrations were evident by Nusa’s wild effort that went high and wide on the 30-minute mark. Thelo Aasgaard and Oscar Bobb both had opportunities for the home side, but the best chance of the half would fall to James.

          On 43 minutes, another dangerous counter-attack from Cymru resulted in James only having goalkeeper Egil Selvik to beat but he was denied by a fine save. Norway ended the opening half with a corner, but once again it came to nothing to leave Cymru taking plenty of positives from first 45 minutes.

          Johnson tried his luck just minutes after the restart, but his effort could only find the side netting. However, Norway moved up a gear from the opening half with Bobb and Nusa becoming increasingly effective as they went in search of the opening goal.

          Sander Berge had an effort blocked by Liam Cullen on 54 minutes, but the opening goal was eventual scored through Nusa just before the hour mark. After winning a corner for his side, Nusa then controlled the ball on the edge of the area before firing past Darlow.

          Less than 10 minutes later it was 2-0 as substitute Schjelderup slotted the ball home at the back post from a pass from Haaland. Neco Williams tried his luck from distance to try and get Cymru back into the match, but it would prove to be his last action as he limped out of the game shortly after.

          Despite the setback, Cymru had chances with Ampadu and Rubin Colwill testing Selvik, and the deficit was reduced on 79 minutes when David Brooks lifted the ball over the goalkeeper under pressure from the Norwegian defence.

          However, it would prove to be a false dawn for Cymru as Norway raised their game in the final stages of the match. First Ødegaard forced a fine save from Darlow, but when Connor Roberts brought down Schjelderup for a penalty on 88 minutes, there was only one outcome when Haaland placed the ball on the spot.

          Norway had further chances in injury time to increase their lead, but it remained 3-1 as the final whistle brought this entertaining contest to a close. Cymru will rue the opportunities missed, but Norway proved to be too strong as the game went on, and now Bellamy’s side must beat group leaders Portugal on Tuesday.

        3. FULL-TIME VERDICT

          Norway made amends for their defeat against Cymru in Cardiff last month with a 3-1 victory in Oslo. Cymru enjoyed the better of the opening half as they caused problems for the home side on the counter-attack, but the two sides went into half-time goalless. However, Norway increased the pressure on Cymru after the restart with goals from Antonio Nusa, substitute Andreas Schjelderup and an Erling Haaland penalty in the final moments sealing victory. David Brooks did pull a goal back for Cymru and the visitors had chances, but ultimately Norway proved to be more clinical in the final third.

        4. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          Felix Horn Myhre replaces Martin Ødegaard

        5. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          Leo Østigård replaces David Møller Wolfe

        7. 88'

          Haaland extends Norway’s lead from the penalty spot after Roberts brought down Schjelderup. Cymru now have it all to do.

        8. 88'

          Penalty

          Erling Haaland

        9. 87'

          Yellow card

          WILSON Harry

        10. 86'

          Yellow card

          ROBERTS Connor Richard John

        11. 85'

          Substitution

          Marcus Pedersen replaces Julian Ryerson

        12. 84'

          Darlow makes a fine save to deny Ødegaard from increasing Norway’s lead.

        13. Harry Wilson with an effort on goal

        15. 79'

          An excellent finish from Brooks off the bench to get Cymru back into the match as he lifts the ball over Selvik under pressure from the Norway defence.

        16. 79'

          Goal

          BROOKS David

        17. 76'

          What a save from Selvik to deny Ampadu from scoring what looked a certain goal. Cymru need to reduce the deficit very soon if they are to take anything from this match.

        18. 72'

          Substitution

          ROBERTS Connor Richard John replaces WILLIAMS Neco

        19. 72'

          Substitution

          BROOKS David replaces JAMES Daniel Owen

        20. 72'

          Substitution

          COLWILL Rubin replaces CULLEN Liam Jamie

        22. 68'

          Norway double their lead through substitute Schjelderup as he slots home a back-post pass from Haaland.

        23. 68'

          Goal

          Andreas Schjelderup

        24. Jay Dasilva on the ball

        25. 66'

          Substitution

          Patrick Berg replaces Thelo Aasgaard

        26. 65'

          Substitution

          Andreas Schjelderup replaces Oscar Bobb

        27. 65'

          A first chance for Harris following his introduction but Selvik makes a comfortable save.

        28. 64'

          Substitution

          HARRIS Mark replaces KOUMAS Lewis

        29. 63'

          That goal has boosted the confidence in the Norwegian ranks as they knock the ball around with more authority. Cymru need a quick response to that setback.

        31. 59'

          Nusa opens the scoring for Norway with a shot from the edge of the area. It was Nusa’s run into the area that won the corner, and he was there to finish it off. A huge blow for Cymru.

        32. 59'

          Goal

          Antonio Nusa

        33. Craig Bellamy and opposite number Ståle Solbakken watch on

        34. 56'

          There’s more urgency from both teams in the early exchanges of the 2nd half to open the scoring, it’s hard to see this one staying 0-0 for much longer.

        35. 54'

          A decent chance for Norway but Berge’s shot is blocked by Cullen.

        36. 54'

          Bobb getting in behind the Cymru defence for the second time to earn Norway a corner.

        37. Brennan Johnson runs at the Norwegian defence

        38. 52'

          Some excellent defending from Cymru as Ødegaard and Haaland combine in the area.

        39. 48'

          A good chance for Johnson on his 50th cap but his effort hits the side netting.

        40. 46'

          We’re back underway in Oslo with no changes from either side at half-time.

        41. HALF-TIME VERDICT

          Craig Bellamy said before the match that his side would ‘fight fire with fire’ and he will be very encouraged by what he has seen from his players in this opening half. Although it remains 0-0, Cymru have had chances with Dan James going close to opening the scoring. James’ two early efforts both went narrowly wide of Egil Selvik’s post before he was denied by the keeper just before half-time. While Norway have had periods of possession in the final third, Cymru have looked dangerous on the counter-attack and will be confident of making at least one of their opportunities count in the second half.

        42. 43'

          James is denied by goalkeeper Selvik who makes a decent save. Another great chance for the attacking winger.

        43. 40'

          A teasing run from Bobb into the Cymru penalty area but Davies defends well.

        44. 39'

          Another excellent counter-attack from Cymru but the final ball into the area can’t find a yellow shirt.

        45. Ethan Ampadu plays the ball forward

        46. 36'

          You can sense the frustration amongst the home fans as Norway struggle to create any clear chances on goal.

        47. 35'

          Running repairs for James as he receives treatment on the sidelines.

        48. 31'

          Norway come close but Aasgaard’s shot is deflected wide for a corner.

        49. 29'

          A wild effort from Nusa goes high and wide as Darlow remains untroubled in the Cymru goal.

        50. Liam Cullen defends from midfield with Kristoffer Ajer in possession

        51. 27'

          Norway enjoying a decent spell of possession around the Cymru penalty area, but ultimately it comes to nothing for the home side.

        52. 22'

          Another good chance for James but again he cannot direct his shot on target. Cymru are having the better opportunities so far.

        53. The Red Wall are making themselves heard in Oslo

        54. 18'

          A good chance for Cymru on the counter-attack but James places his effort wide of the post.

        55. 16'

          A significant moment as Ampadu is shown a yellow card for a late challenge and he will now miss Tuesday’s match against Portugal in Cardiff.

        56. 16'

          Yellow card

          AMPADU Ethan

        57. 15'

          Norway with the first shot on goal but Heggem’s effort clears Darlow’s crossbar.

        58. 14'

          A crucial defensive header from Davies to deny Haaland from getting on the end of Nusa’s cross.

        59. 11'

          Cymru attacking with purpose here in Oslo but James’ cross is blocked. Bellamy will be encouraged by the way his team has started the match.

        60. 9'

          Williams carries the ball forward into the Norwegian half but his cross fails to find the intended target.

        61. The Cymru starting line-up

        62. 6'

          The impressive Nusa forcing the Cymru defence to concede a corner with his run into the area.

        63. 2'

          An early chance for Cymru as Johnson makes space to cross from the left but Wilson can’t quite connect. A positive start from the visitors.

        64. 1'

          The anthems and pre-match business has been taken care of as Cymru get us underway in Oslo.

        66. Brennan Johnson earns his 50th cap for Cymru this evening

        67. Joe Rodon makes a welcome return from injury

        68. The Cymru squad check out the playing surface at the Ullevaal Stadium

        69. Harry Wilson will make his 70th appearance for Cymru this evening

        72. TEAM NEWS

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy has named his starting line-up to take on Norway in this penultimate match of the UEFA Nations League campaign.

          Goalkeeper Karl Darlow returns to the XI while Lewis Koumas once again leads the front line. Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon return having missed the last camp through injury.

          Wilson makes his 70th appearance for his country while Brennan Johnson earns his 50th cap. Ben Davies captains the side on his 105th senior international appearance.

          For Norway, Erling Haaland is the focal point in attack with captain Martin Ødegaard in support.

        73. Welcome to the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo. Team news coming very soon.

        75. SOLBAKKEN ON CYMRU

          Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken spoke to the media yesterday about the challenge of taking on Cymru.

          “Wales have been, as always, a very attacking team under Craig Bellamy,” said Solbakken.

          “I think they have had a nice progression with the ball, and that it suits their team considering the offensive players they have.

          “It’s our home game, though, so I obviously think they’ll have a tough time against us too. We’ll see.”

        78. The Red Wall are in Oslo. Diolch to all the fans who have travelled over to support Cymru against Norway.

        81. DAVIES ON HAALAND AND NORWAY

          Cymru captain Ben Davies spoke to the media in Oslo on Friday as his side look to complete the double over Norway this weekend.

          Goals from Dan James and Neco Williams sealed a 2-1 win for Cymru over Norway in Cardiff last month, with striker Erling Haaland failing to make an impression on the match for the visitors.

          “He’s a world-class player,” said Davies when asked about the Norwegian forward. “Maybe he had an off-night but we worked hard, stuck to our job and we defended really well. Hopefully we’ll do that again.

          “They’ve got players now performing at the highest level in world football and starring in that as well. It’s great for Norwegian football, a challenge for us, but one we’re looking forward to.”

        84. BELLAMY ON NORWAY TEST

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy spoke to the media upon their arrival in Oslo as his side prepare to take on Norway on Saturday (5pm UK).

          “The way we look at it is this is the type of game we want to be playing in,” said Bellamy, “I see a collective team that you have to like but, individually, very much so as well. So that’s a good challenge.

          “We’ve all been aware of their threat. The World Cup proved that. And I just don’t see them going anywhere for the next five, 10 years either.

          “It’ll go a long way to us having an opportunity of being seeded one, which is huge for us, but it isn’t going to be given to us.

          “We have to go out there tomorrow and try and take it. So, for me, it’s fight fire with fire. I’m expecting them to really come with big intensity and it’s up to us to match it. So, to me, it’s a shootout.”

        88. FEELING THE FREEZE

          The temperatures dropped in Cardiff as the Cymru squad completed their final training session before they head to Oslo to take on Norway on Saturday.

          With heavy snow greeting the traveling fans who have ventured over to the Norwegian capital a few days ahead of the match, Craig Bellamy and his squad can expect a frosty welcome from the side they defeated 2-1 in Cardiff last month.

        90. MEET THE REF

          Oleksiy Derevinskyi from Ukraine will take charge of the UEFA Nations League match between Norway and Cymru at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on Saturday.

          The 37-year-old has been a FIFA Referee since 2022 and regularly officiates in the UEFA Europa League and Conference League as well as international fixtures.

          In 2025, Derevinskyi was selected to take charge of the UEFA U17 EURO Final between France and Portugal that took place in Albania.

          Oleksii Myronov and Svitlana Grushko are the Assistant Referees and Dmytro Panchyshyn is the Fourth Official. Jan Boterberg of Belgium is the VAR and he will be assisted by Denys Shurman. Apart from the VAR, all of the officials are from Ukraine.

        92. JAMES ON NORWAY TEST

          Dan James spoke to the media earlier this week as his Cymru squad prepare to take on Norway at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on Saturday (5pm UK).

          “They’re a great nation and, at home especially, they’ve been brilliant,” said James. “They’re a very hard team to beat and I think after having that win in Cardiff it’s something that they’ve had to take, and they’ll be even more up for this game.”

          James was referencing the 2-1 win for Cymru against Norway last month when he scored the opening goal. Cymru now complete their UEFA Nations League campaign with fixtures against Norway and Portugal.

          “That win over Norway was so important to keep us in the group and we showed what we were about,” he added.

          “We know we have two very important games against teams we want to be playing against. If we want to get to major finals and go far in tournaments, we have to be able to compete against these teams and the manager always reiterates that.”

          Click here for more from Dan James on the BBC Sport Wales website

        95. AS IT STANDS

          Cymru currently sit third in Group A4 heading into the final two matches of the campaign.

          Craig Bellamy’s side are above Norway on their head-to-head record following their 2-1 victory in Cardiff last month. Meanwhile, Portugal hold a six-point lead over Denmark as they look to confirm their place in the quarter-finals.

          The action continues on Saturday as Norway take on Cymru in Oslo before Portugal host Denmark later that evening. The group comes to a close on Tuesday when Denmark face Norway and Cymru welcome Portugal to Cardiff.

        97. PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

          The Cymru squad returned to the training ground this week ahead of the penultimate match of this UEFA Nations League campaign against Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Saturday (5:00pm UK).

          Dan James (below) was on target for Cymru against Norway last month when Craig Bellamy’s side claimed an impressive 2-1 win in Cardiff. The win moves Cymru above their opponents in the group table on their head-to-head record and into third place.

          Striker Kieffer Moore will not be involved in this international window having withdrawn from the squad through injury and he has been replaced by Aaron Collins.

          Meanwhile, Fredrik Aursnus and Jørgen Strand Larsen have both pulled out of the Norway squad and have been replaced by Hugo Vetlesen and Erik Botheim.

        99. CAP MILESTONES

          Three players from the Cymru squad could reach significant appearance milestones during this international window.

          Harry Wilson (below) returns to the squad from injury and is set to make his 70th senior international appearance. The 29-year-old made his debut way back in October 2013 against Belgium, setting a new record as the youngest-ever Cymru player at the age of 16 years and 207 days which still stands.

          Meanwhile, Brennan Johnson and goalkeeper Danny Ward both come into this camp on 49 caps. Johnson made his senior debut in a friendly against the United States in Swansea in November 2020, while Ward made his first appearance against Northern Ireland in March 2016.

        102. PREVIOUS MEETINGS

          There have been 12 previous fixtures between Cymru and Norway all taking place between 1982 and the current UEFA Nations League campaign. Cymru have won a third of those games against their opponents, including the last three meetings.

          The most recent match between Cymru and Norway took place in Cardiff last month. Oscar Bobb gave the visitors an early lead, but Craig Bellamy’s side responded in style to win 2-1 through goals from Dan James and Neco Williams (below).

          Ian Rush scored the only goal of the game when the two nations met for the first time in September 1982 in a EURO qualifier at the Vetch Field, Swansea. The return match took place a year later and finished 0-0 in Oslo.

          The next four matches between Cymru and Norway took place between 1984 and 1994 and were all friendly internationals. Cymru’s best result in this period was a 1-1 draw in February 1985 with Rush again on target at the Racecourse in Wrexham.

          The friendly in March 1994 at Ninian Park is remembered as John Toshack’s one and only match during his first spell in charge of the national team after replacing Terry Yorath. Norway won the match 3-1 with future Cymru boss Chris Coleman scoring a late consolation goal.

          The teams were drawn together in qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Nathan Blake earned Cymru a point in a 1-1 draw in Cardiff but Norway won the return match 3-2 in Oslo. Robbie Savage and Bellamy scoring the two Cymru goals.

          That would be the last competitive match between the two nations, with three more friendlies in 2004, 2008 and 2011 completing the list of fixtures. A 0-0 draw in Oslo in 2004 was followed by an impressive 3-0 for Cymru four years later, with Jason Koumas scoring twice at Wrexham.

          Prior to the match last month, Cymru last met Norway in Cardiff in November 2011. Cymru put in an excellent performance to win 4-1 through goals from Gareth Bale, Bellamy and a double from Sam Vokes. Tragically, it would be Gary Speed’s last match in charge of the national team.

        104. SQUAD ARRIVAL

          The Cymru squad arrived are back on international duty ahead of the final two fixtures of this latest UEFA Nations League campaign.

          Craig Bellamy’s side take on Norway on Saturday, 14 November (5pm UK) before returning to Cardiff to face group leaders Portugal on Tuesday, 17 November (7:45pm).

          Cymru have claimed three points from the opening four games as goals from Dan James and Neco Williams claimed a 2-1 win over Norway in Cardiff last month.

        107. FIRST CALL-UP FOR DUNCAN

          Goalkeeper Joe Duncan (below) has been included in Craig Bellamy’s 26-man Cymru squad for the first time.

          The 20-year-old is currently on-loan at Southend United from Bristol City and featured for the Cymru U21 side last month.

          “It’s a clear issue because of the age of our goalkeepers,” Bellamy explained. “I’ve always been aware of where the next one is coming from, and what I’ve seen and heard about Joe I’ve been really happy with him.

          “He’s learning in the National League and that will test him, as there’s no protection for keepers there.”

        109. BELLAMY ON UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE RETURN

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy spoke to the media following the announcement of his squad for the final two UEFA Nations League fixtures against Norway and Portugal.

          “We have two games and that allows us to really attack them,” he explained. “The intensity dropped last time, especially in the last game, and there’s no hiding place. This time, I see Norway as a game to all out, and if it doesn’t go our way we still have an opportunity against Portugal.”

          Cymru are currently third in the group and welcome back several experienced players for these two fixtures with Harry Wilson, Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow all set to be involved.

          “Il start with the players coming back,” said Bellamy. “It’s huge. They’re really important players for us so I’m really happy.

          “We have an opportunity where we can be Pot 1. If we finish third, it’s the first time in our history (in EURO qualifying) where we’d be Pot 1. That would be huge going into the EURO qualifiers. There’s no hiding from it.”

          Click here for more from Craig Bellamy’s squad announcement

        111. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

                P
                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees