Cymru Under-21s were defeated 4-0 against Norway in their final friendly fixture on Friday before their 2027 UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign.
Matty Jones’ side had hoped to build on a strong March camp — where they claimed positive results against Andorra and Sweden — but were unable to replicate that form against a well-organised Norwegian outfit.
Norway made a bright start to the game and nearly opened the scoring inside the first four minutes, with Jens Hjertø-Dahl breaking down the right before being denied by a strong save from Lewys Benjamin.
The pressure told in the 15th minute, as Sindre Egeli slotted home a composed finish past the advancing Benjamin, meeting Marius Broholm’s low cross to give Norway the lead.
Despite responding positively after a brief water break on 25 minutes, Cymru found themselves two goals down shortly after the half-hour mark. Broholm cut in from the right and fired a powerful shot beyond the outstretched Benjamin to double Norway’s advantage.
Cymru created chances before the break in an effort to pull one back. Kai Andrews saw a promising effort strike a Norway defender’s arm, but appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee. Moments later, Archie Harris delivered a dangerous cross into the box, met by Chris Popov, who directed his header just wide of the post.
Norway nearly added a third early in the second half when Egeli drove at the Cymru defence and curled a superb effort that clipped the outside of the post.
Cymru responded with a chance of their own shortly after. Cian Ashford showed quick feet to beat his man on the edge of the area, but his powerful strike was well blocked by the Norwegian defence.
Norway eventually extended their lead in the 84th minute. A slick move down the right ended with Dennis Gjengaar pulling the ball back for Henrik Skogvold, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
The fourth came in stoppage time after Cymru failed to clear their lines inside the area. A clearance from Thierry Katsukunya was charged down by Bo Åsulv Heggland, whose deflected effort looped past substitute goalkeeper Evan Watts.
Despite a late push for a consolation goal, Cymru couldn’t break through a disciplined Norwegian backline.
Jones’ side will now look ahead to the start of their 2027 European Championship qualifying campaign, which begins against Denmark on 8th September.
Cymru Under-21’s
Lewys Benjamin (Evan Watts), Harris, Joel Cotterill (Troy Perrett), Dylan Lawlor, Hammond (Thierry Katsukunya), Cian Ashford, Kai Andrews, Chris Popov (C), Joel Colwill (Bland), Cameron Congreve (Tanatswa Nyakuhwa), and Alex Williams.
