On a night when Erling Haaland moped around the pitch, dragging his hulking frame across the Cardiff turf, Wales registered a welcome victory over 10-man Norway and their first this year. Daniel James cancelled out Oscar Bobb’s well-worked opener in the first half and 17 seconds into the restart Torbjørn Heggem was sent off for fouling James as the Leeds winger streamed through towards goal, resulting in a free-kick from which Neco Williams earned Craig Bellamy’s side the three points. “You’re just a shit Kieffer Moore,” was the chant at Haaland from the locals.
Bellamy was under no illusions about the task facing his side. He described Norway as one of the best teams in the world and one riding the crest of a wave after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals. Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal and Norway captain, was the visitors’ creator in chief and it was no surprise he was the architect for a crisp opener, slotted in by Bobb, one of two Fulham players and one of five Premier League regulars in the Norway starting lineup.
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