Wales produced a gritty and disciplined display to claim a famous victory over Norway, securing their first triumph in the Nations League A and snapping a run of six games without a win. Goals from Dan James and Neco Williams turned the match around after Oscar Bobb had given the hosts an early lead, capping off a performance built on resilience and defensive solidity.
Central to Wales' success was the performance of the back line, particularly Joe Cabango, who earned his 18th senior cap in the fixture. Cabango and captain Ben Davies formed a formidable partnership at the heart of defense, managing to largely neutralize the threat posed by Erling Haaland and Norway's dangerous attacking unit throughout the contest.
Reflecting on the result, Cabango did not hold back in describing the significance of his individual contribution. "I'd probably say it was my best game for Wales," he said. The defender spoke of relishing the physical and tactical battle that unfolded against one of Europe's most feared strikers. "I enjoyed the game, it was a good battle and we came out on top," he added.
Cabango also touched on his approach to defending, emphasizing his appetite for winning duels and contesting every ball that came his way. "I enjoy that side of the game. The ball's there to be won and I'm going to try and win it 100 per cent of the time and today it paid off," he explained.
Beyond his own display, Cabango pointed to the collective response from the squad following a difficult run of form. "We needed to bounce back from the last game and I felt we all did that as a collective. All the squad, the players that came on, it was a real good performance," he said, underlining the team spirit that carried Wales through a demanding away assignment.
Head coach Craig Bellamy was equally effusive in his praise for the central defensive duo, crediting their combined efforts for containing one of the most potent forward lines in international football. "They were brilliant – really, really good," Bellamy said of Cabango and Davies.
The Wales manager explained that a specific tactical plan had been devised in training ahead of the match, with the primary objective being to limit the space afforded to Haaland and his teammates near the Welsh goal. "But the key part of that, which we mentioned before [the game] and the work we had done, was to keep them away from our box," Bellamy said.
Bellamy acknowledged that executing such a plan against quality opposition is far from straightforward, requiring constant effort and concentration from his players throughout the ninety minutes. "It's easier said than done but that's why we were constantly pushing, constantly working to keep them as far away as we can," he said, before reiterating his admiration for how his defenders carried out the instructions. "They were exceptional."
The win represents a landmark moment for Wales in their Nations League A campaign, offering both a confidence boost and tangible proof that Bellamy's tactical approach can yield results against elite attacking talent. Having struggled for consistency in recent outings, this victory over a Norway side featuring one of the world's premier goalscorers will serve as a significant marker of progress for the Welsh squad as they continue their push in the competition.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.