Cabango's shirt request after stopping Haaland sparks Wales win

Wales secured a 2‑1 victory over Norway at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, ending a seven‑match winless streak and delivering the national side's first triumph in League A of the Nations League. The win also marked a turning point after a series of disappointing results.

Historic win ends winless run

The result broke a sequence of seven games without a win and entered the record books as Wales' inaugural triumph in the competition's top tier. It gave the team three points, but they remain at the bottom of Group A4.

Craig Bellamy chose defender Ben Cabango, a Swansea City player, to help contain Norway's attacking threat. Cabango was tasked with marking striker Erling Haaland, one of the most prolific forwards in world football.

Cabango's duel with Haaland and shirt story

Haaland spent much of the match neutralised by Cabango's disciplined defending, limiting the Norwegian star’s usual impact. After the final whistle, the 26‑year‑old defender approached Haaland on the pitch and asked for his shirt.

“I went to get it at the end of the game. He was right there and I thought, ‘Why not?’ He gave me the shirt… but he didn’t take mine,” Cabango said.

Group A4 outlook and next fixtures

Com the victory over Norway, Wales collected three points while the Norwegians also sit on three, occupying third place in the group. Wales remain fourth, still chasing a rise up the table.

Cabango, on his 18th cap, returned to the starting line‑up after being on the bench in a 2‑0 loss to Denmark in Copenhagen. Earlier in the campaign he faced Cristiano Ronaldo in Wales’ debut against Portugal in Lisbon.

“It’s surreal to play against Ronaldo and Haaland on the same FIFA date. We learned a lot facing these players and had to stay concentrated for the full ninety minutes,” he explained.

He added that the Norway match was probably his best performance for Wales, praising the collective effort: “I would say it was my best game. The whole group, even the substitutes, gave a very good display.”

The fourth round of Group A4 sees Portugal host Norway at the Estádio do Dragão on 4 October, while Wales meet Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium later the same day, both fixtures scheduled for 15:45 Brasília time.