What changed
Wales beat Norway 2-1 at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, ending a six-game winless run under Craig Bellamy. It was Wales’ first Nations League A victory in their ninth game at that level, and their first win over a higher-ranked nation since Bellamy became head coach in July 2024.
Why it matters
The result changes the mood around Bellamy, at least for one evening. He said criticism after the Bosnia-Herzegovina defeat, and negativity surrounding talks over a possible move to Burnley, had made the past few months difficult. He also said the abuse affected his wife and children.
That makes the win more than a useful scoreline. Bellamy now has a result strong enough to defend the direction of his team, while Wales have a little breathing room after a difficult stretch. His appeal for people to be kinder does not put criticism off limits, but it draws a line between questioning results and targeting a manager’s family.
Whether the victory brings lasting improvement or quietens criticism is still unknown. Wales face Denmark in Cardiff on 4 October at 19:45 BST, giving Bellamy an immediate chance to show that Norway was a turning point rather than a temporary lift.
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