Williams free kick seals Wales’ first League A win against Norway

Wales earned a first Nations League victory in League A by coming from behind to beat Norway 2-1 at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 1 October. Dan James cancelled out Oscar Bobb’s opener before Neco Williams scored the decisive free kick, moments after Norway were reduced to ten men.

James brings Wales back into the match

Bobb put Norway ahead in the 11th minute after Martin Ødegaard’s pass sent him through against Danny Ward. Wales had arrived without a goal or a point from the opening two group matches, but recovered from that early setback. Sorba Thomas supplied the cross for James to equalise in the 38th minute. Craig Bellamy had made five changes from the side beaten in Denmark, bringing Ben Cabango, Lewis Koumas, Liam Cullen, Jay Dasilva and Jordan James into the starting lineup.

A dismissal and a free kick turn the game

Torbjørn Heggem brought down James on the edge of the penalty area just after the restart and received a straight red card. Williams converted the resulting free kick in the 48th minute. Norway still threatened. Erling Haaland headed over under pressure from Ben Davies, while substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen missed with a late curling attempt. Wales also had chances to make the margin more comfortable, with Ørjan Nyland denying James, Cullen and Josh Sheehan.

Wales make more of the attempts

API-Football records 12 shots for each side, with Wales putting six on target against Norway’s four. Wales had 55% possession and Norway 45%. The equal shot totals underline why the hosts still needed to protect the narrow lead even with an extra player. James received the provider’s highest rating, 8.2, among players who spent at least 30 minutes on the pitch. That is an API-Football assessment, not an official player-of-the-match award.

Denmark next in Cardiff

The FAW reported an attendance of 32,076. In an official Sgorio interview shared by the association, James praised the crowd’s contribution to the win. His and Davies’ post-match interviews are included below alongside official match posts. Wales return to the same ground to face Denmark on Sunday 4 October, with a first victory and first goals now on the board in this campaign.