Wales relegated to Nations League play-off after Norway defeat

Summarised from 2 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 01:37 · Archive

Wales finished bottom of their Nations League group after losing 3-1 to Norway in Oslo on Saturday. Despite shading a goalless first half in which they created the better chances, Wales conceded after an hour when Nusa drilled in from the edge of the penalty area. Norway doubled their lead nine minutes later when Schjelderup tapped in after combining with Haaland. Brooks reduced the deficit with a chipped finish after coming off the bench, but Haaland's penalty two minutes from time secured victory for the hosts.

By avenging their 2-1 defeat to Wales in Cardiff a month earlier, Norway leapfrogged Wales into third place in Group A4. Wales will finish bottom even if they win their final game against reigning champions Portugal at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday. Neither a win nor a point against Portugal will prevent them from dropping out of the top tier, because Norway and Denmark are both three points ahead with superior head-to-head records.

Head coach Craig Bellamy acknowledged Wales will miss out on being a top seed for Euro 2028 qualifying as a result. Wales are almost certain to play a League B team in a relegation play-off in March, though only the two worst-performing sides face automatic relegation. Three other League A teams have no points, whereas Wales have three from four games.

How it is being reported

• What Wales need to stay in Nations League top tierBBC Sport Wales explains how Wales can stay in the Nations League top tier despite finishing bottom of their group.BBC Wales · 14 Nov, 20:52
• Mixed Wales ratings as defensive errors costly in Norway defeatHere's how the Wales players rated during the defeat to NorwayWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 19:46
• Wales clinging on to top flight status in Nations League after Norway defeatWales were beaten by Norway in OsloWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 19:16
• Wales' top-tier survival hopes hit by Norway lossWales' hopes of retaining their top-tier status in the Nations League hang in the balance after they are beaten by Norway in Oslo.BBC Wales · 14 Nov, 18:55
• Odegaard backing Norway to avenge Wales defeatMartin Odegaard backs Norway to brush off snow disruption and avenge their defeat by Wales when they meet again in Oslo on Saturday.BBC Wales · 13 Nov, 12:43

In this story: Wales · Norway · Craig Bellamy · Martin Odegaard · Erling Haaland · Antonio Nusa · David Brooks · Portugal

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log