Wales face likely relegation play-off after Norway loss

Wales' hopes of retaining top‑tier status in the Nations League are hanging in the balance after they were beaten by Norway in Oslo, where Craig Bellamy's side dominated a goalless first half before conceding the opening goal in the 60th minute.

Craig Bellamy's side dominated a goalless first half, creating the better chances, before Norway opened the scoring with Antonio Nusa's first‑time shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 60th minute. Nine minutes later the World Cup quarter‑finalists doubled their lead when Nusa linked with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to set up substitute Andreas Schjelderup for the second goal. Wales responded when David Brooks came off the bench to net a delicate chipped finish, reducing the deficit.

Consequences for Wales

Erling Haaland then converted a penalty after Andreas Schjelderup was fouled by Connor Roberts, sealing the victory for the hosts. By avenging their defeat in Cardiff a month earlier, Norway leapfrogged Wales into third place in Group A4, consigning Bellamy's men to the bottom of the group. Even a win in their final home match against group leaders and reigning champions Portugal on Tuesday would not lift Wales above Norway or Denmark, who are three points ahead and hold the superior head‑to‑head record.

Consequently Wales face an almost certain relegation play‑off against a League B side in March. The loss also means Wales will miss out on a top seed for Euro 2028 qualifying. Bellamy had vowed before the encounter to go “all out” for victory, and his side showed promise with Daniel James, Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson threatening on the break, James twice shooting wide after a pass from Wilson that forced Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik into his first save.

Norway's perspective and Haaland's impact

Norway viewed the match as a chance to right the Cardiff defeat and to end a run of three consecutive losses for the first time in a decade. Having gone unbeaten throughout 2025 and reaching the World Cup quarter‑finals, the Norwegian golden generation, including Haaland and Martin Odegaard, had been expected to contend for top spot, yet they began the evening at the bottom of Group A4 with only one win from four games, level on points with Wales but trailing on head‑to‑head.

Haaland finished the game with an assist and recorded his 66th international goal from just 60 caps. Despite Norway's individual star quality and the doubled advantage, Wales' effort, highlighted by Brooks' finish, left them a long way from recovery.