Wales claimed the most notable scalp of the Craig Bellamy era as they came from behind to end their winless run with a 2-1 Nations League triumph over 10-man Norway.

Bellamy's team looked destined for a long night when Oscar Bobb poked Norway into an early lead at the Cardiff City Stadium.

But Wales deservedly levelled before half-time when Dan James swept in from Sorba Thomas' cross.

Norway centre-back Torbjorn Heggem handed Wales further momentum when he was sent off for dragging James down on the edge of the penalty area inside the opening 30 seconds of the second half.

Neco Williams ensured there was double punishment for Heggem's foul, as he deceived Orjan Nyland with a clever free-kick which curled inside the Norway keeper's right-hand post.

This was a timely, morale-boosting triumph for Wales, who had been under pressure to deliver a result after failing to win in their previous six internationals.

It was a first victory over a team ranked higher in the world since Bellamy took charge in 2024 and – at the ninth attempt - a maiden success for Wales in Nations League A.

Wales had fallen behind to the game's first attack of note, with Bobb feeding Martin Odegaard and then darting in behind the static Welsh backline to accept his captain's return pass.

That left Fulham winger Bobb to poke the ball beyond the advancing Danny Ward and inside the near post.

With confidence low, Wales might have folded - yet Bellamy's team responded by taking the game to Norway.

Thomas was a menace down the left flank, with Wales knocking on the door without finding a path to goal until Liam Cullen picked off Fredrik Aursnes' pass seven minutes before half-time.

Wales pounced decisively, with Lewis Koumas working the ball wide for Thomas to tee up James' 11th international goal.

The red card came when, having failed to deal with Ben Davies' hopeful ball forward, Heggem locked arms with James and sent the Wales winger tumbling to the turf.

Nyland might then have done better as he took a step to his left before Williams' precise set-piece went in on the former Aston Villa keeper's right-hand post.

Wales had chances to extend their lead, with substitutes Josh Sheehan and Mark Harris denied by Nyland, before Norway rallied in the closing stages.

It was not until nine minutes from time that Erling Haaland had a sight of goal, the striker rising high to meet a Marcus Pedersen cross but heading straight at Ward.

When Jorgen Stand Larsen blasted over late on, Wales' job was done.

This was Wales' first home fixture since Bellamy held talks over a potential move to Burnley in the summer.

If those discussions left bridges for Bellamy to build with some Welsh fans, this performance will have aided the repair job.

Since Bellamy oversaw a nine-game unbeaten run at the start of his reign, Wales had suffered eight defeats in 13 internationals leading into their meeting with a Norway side ranked 18th in the world, 20 places higher than their hosts.

Given the absences of influential players like Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon, David Brooks and Harry Wilson, World Cup quarter-finalists Norway looked like presenting a daunting challenge.

Yet Wales showed admirable resilience – and produced moments of quality - as they recovered from the shock of Bobb's early goal to deliver a victory which eases the pressure built up during their winless sequence even though they remain bottom of League A Group 4 at the midway point of the campaign.

While they were by no means perfect, Wales will hope this is a result which marks the start of a turnaround in fortunes as they prepare for another home game against Denmark on Sunday.

Norway had insisted star striker Haaland would not be affected by news that his club, Manchester City, have been found guilty of financial breaches.

Whether it was City-related or not, Haaland endured a frustrating, fruitless evening against a battling Welsh rearguard.

Haaland had scored 65 goals in just 57 internationals before this, yet he did not look like adding to that extraordinary record in Cardiff.

His one sight of goal came as Bellamy's team sat deep late on – but Ward saved comfortably on a night when Wales did a fine job of smothering perhaps the best centre-forward on the planet.