Haaland seals Norway’s second-half turnaround against Wales

Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot as Norway defeated Wales 3-1 in a Nations League match transformed after half-time.

The sides were level at 0-0 at the interval, but Norway moved through the gears in the second half to take their points tally to six in Group D of League A. Wales remain on three points.

Wales made the brighter start, with Harry Wilson failing to convert Brennan Johnson’s cross in the second minute. Antonio Nusa then won a free-kick for Norway shortly afterwards.

The hosts responded with efforts from Nusa and Thelo Aasgaard in the sixth and seventh minutes, before Wales’ defence blocked Martin Ødegaard’s attempt in the 14th minute.

Daniel James threatened for Wales in the 18th minute, while Aasgaard headed wide a minute later. James went close again with a shot narrowly missing the post in the 22nd minute, and Ødegaard saw another effort stopped by the Welsh defence five minutes later.

Nusa missed a further opportunity in the 29th minute, while Norway also won a corner and created a chance for Torbjørn Heggem. Wales had to pause briefly when James received treatment for an injury in the 35th minute.

Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik denied James in the 43rd minute, ensuring the match remained goalless at half-time after one minute of added time.

Wales again attempted to catch the hosts early in the second half, but Johnson’s shot in the 48th minute went wide. Norway then began to apply sustained pressure, with Sander Berge testing the visitors twice in the 54th minute.

Their pressure finally produced a breakthrough after a corner in the 59th minute. Nusa collected the ball and struck a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner beyond Karl Darlow.

Norway doubled their advantage in the 68th minute. Andreas Schjelderup received a pass from Haaland inside the penalty area and finished right-footed into the bottom-right corner.

Schjelderup and Patrick Berg had been introduced for Norway in the 66th minute, while Mark Harris replaced Lewis Koumas for Wales in the 64th. Wales then made three more changes in the 72nd minute, bringing on David Brooks, Rubin Colwill and Connor Roberts.

The visitors continued to search for a response. Selvik saved from Harris in the 65th minute, kept out Ethan Ampadu’s attempt in the 76th and denied Colwill three minutes later.

Wales did pull one goal back in the 79th minute when Brooks met Harry Wilson’s pass and sent a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.

Darlow stopped Ødegaard’s effort in the 84th minute, but Norway were awarded a penalty a minute later after Schjelderup was fouled inside the area by Roberts, who was booked. Wilson also received a yellow card in the 87th minute.

Haaland took responsibility from the spot in the 88th minute, sending a left-footed penalty into the bottom-right corner to restore Norway’s two-goal advantage.

Johnson fired wide after being set up by Ben Davies in the 89th minute, while the fourth official indicated six minutes of added time. Haaland was caught offside in the 90+1st minute, but Norway held on to complete a 3-1 victory.