How do you stop Haaland? Wales show how it's done

What the report says

Wales are preparing to face Norway in Oslo on Saturday in the Nations League with a clear reference point from their previous meeting: a 2-1 win in Cardiff last month in which they limited Erling Haaland’s influence. BBC Sport Wales reports that the match plan was built around collective pressure rather than trying to isolate the Norway striker in a one-on-one battle.

Head coach Craig Bellamy said Wales needed to press high, deny Haaland time on the ball and cut off the passing lanes that feed him, especially those from Norway captain Martin Odegaard. The article notes that Haaland was held to 24 touches, two shots and one shot on target in Cardiff, a sign that Wales succeeded in reducing both service and space for Norway’s key attacking players.

Bellamy and midfielder Dan James both stressed that defending against Haaland requires coordinated work from the whole team, including the forwards and midfielders. Wales will be without suspended centre-back Ben Cabango for the rematch, but Joe Rodon is available again after injury. The wider context is Haaland’s record scoring rate for Norway and his reputation as one of the most difficult forwards to contain in European football, which makes Wales’ earlier success significant as they seek to repeat it.