UEFA Nations League – Haaland scores and assists as Norway defeats Wales 3-1, ending three-game losing streak.

In the fifth round of Group A4 of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, Norway hosted Wales at home. They ultimately defeated their opponents 3-1, temporarily halting their three-game losing streak.

Norway and Wales traded attacks early on, but neither managed to score. In the 15th minute, Martin Ødegaard's corner kick from the right was met by Thorbjørn Haegham, whose close-range shot went wildly over the bar. In the 18th minute, Harry Wilson delivered a precise through ball on a counter-attack, and Daniel James broke through to the edge of the box before curling a shot just wide.

In the 19th minute, Ødegaard delivered a 45-degree cross from the right wing, but Tyro Osgaard's header in the penalty area went over the crossbar. In the 22nd minute, Wilson and James linked up again, but the latter's low shot still missed the target. In the 43rd minute, Wilson played a through ball from the right side of the penalty area, and James' follow-up shot was saved by Eil Servik.

After the break, both sides continued their attacking play. In the 59th minute, Norway broke the deadlock: Joe Rodon's clearance in front of goal backfired, providing an assist for Antonio Nusa to slot the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. In the 65th minute, James played a through ball to Mark Harris, whose low shot after entering the penalty area was saved by Selvik. In the 68th minute, Erling Haaland received a lobbed pass from Nusa in the penalty area and passed it to the right, where Andreas Scheldrup followed up to extend the lead to 2-0. In the 76th minute, David Wolfe's clearance in front of goal was poor, and Ethan Ampadu's long-range shot from outside the penalty area was tipped over the bar by Selvik.

In the 79th minute, Wilson's through ball created a dangerous opportunity, and David Brooks broke into the penalty area before chipping the ball over Wales to pull one back for Wales. In the 85th minute, Sheldrup broke into the penalty area and was pushed down from behind by Connor Roberts, who was tracking back. The referee immediately awarded a penalty. Haaland converted the penalty, bringing the score to 3-1 for Norway before the final whistle.

After this match, Norway sits third in their group with a record of 2 wins and 3 losses, accumulating 6 points. They will face Denmark in three days, vying for a place in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.

Image source: Internet/Official website of the Norwegian Football Federation