Wales Pick Up First Nations League Win

Wales earned a much-needed three points in the Nations League last night after beating ten-man Norway 2-1 in Cardiff.

Welsh Recover From Poor Start

It was a nightmare start for Craig Bellamy’s side, who found themselves behind after just eleven minutes.

Martin Odegaard threaded a lovely pass through to Oscar Bobb, who weaved into the penalty area before tucking the ball past Danny Ward.

But after pushing for a leveller, the hosts got their reward eight minutes before the interval, as Dan James got on the end of a Sorba Thomas cross to tap home.

Red Turns Game on its Head

Just 15 seconds into the second half, the Norway defence failed to deal with a routine ball over the top of their defence, allowing James to steal in and be in on goal.

Torbjørn Heggem had no choice but to bring the Leeds winger down, and the Bologna man was shown a straight red card.

And from the resulting free-kick, Neco Williams fired home a superb low drive past Ørjan Nyland to leave Wales level on points with Norway and Denmark in League A Group 4. 

Draws Galore

Five of the remaining seven Nations League fixtures on Friday night ended all square.

Greece’s 100% record was brought to an end after they let a 2-0 lead slip against the Netherlands. Second-half goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders meant both sides shared the points, but Greece still lead the way on 7 points in League A Group 2.

Austria also pulled off a late show, recovering from going 2-0 down to clinch a 2-2 draw with the Republic of Ireland.

A Troy Parrott brace had the Boys in Green cruising at the break, but two goals in six minutes from Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch means Ireland remain third in League B Group 3.