Wales' hopes of retaining their top-tier status in the Nations League are hanging in the balance after they were beaten by Norway in Oslo.

Craig Bellamy's side shaded a goalless first half in which they created the better chances, but Norway scored with their first shot on target as Antonio Nusa drilled in from the edge of the penalty area after an hour.

The World Cup quarter-finalists doubled their lead nine minutes later as Nusa and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland combined for substitute Andreas Schjelderup to tap in.

Wales kept themselves in the contest as David Brooks came off the bench to score with a delicate chipped finish, only for Haaland's penalty to wrap up victory for the hosts after Schjelderup was fouled by Connor Roberts.

By avenging their defeat in Cardiff a month ago, Norway leapfrog Wales into third place in Group A4, meaning Bellamy's men will finish bottom.

Even if they win their final game at home to group leaders and reigning champions Portugal on Tuesday, Wales cannot overtake Norway or Denmark - who are both three points ahead - because of their inferior head-to-head record.

As a result, they are almost certain to face a relegation play-off against a League B team in March.

Wales earned their first win at this level when they deservedly beat Norway at home a month ago, but despite promising signs in Oslo, they remain without an away victory against a team ranked above them since beating Israel during Euro 2016 qualifying 11 years ago.

Bellamy vowed before this encounter that his team would be going "all out" for victory regardless of their opponents' potency; Wales posed the greater threat of the two sides during the first half.

Daniel James, Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson all looked dangerous on the break, with James twice shooting wide after being set up by Wilson, before forcing Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik into the first save of the game.

This was an assured display from Wales, who were also disciplined and alert defensively as they contained their star-studded hosts.

That was until the hour mark when their inability to properly clear a Norway corner presented Nusa - the hosts' sharpest player on the night - with the chance to fire in the goal his electric display on the left wing had warranted.

Norway's individual star quality was on show as they doubled their advantage and, even with Brooks' deft finish, it was a long way back for Wales.

Disappointing as it obviously will be for Bellamy and his players to finish bottom of their group, a probable relegation play-off presents them with a second chance to stay in the top division of the Nations League.

What this result also means, however, is that Wales will now not be among the top seeds for Euro 2028 qualifying.

Norway had viewed this game as a chance to right some wrongs, not only the defeat by Wales in last month's reverse fixture but also the fact they had lost three successive matches for the first time in a decade.

Having gone through 2025 unbeaten and caught the eye on their way to the quarter-finals of this summer's World Cup, this golden generation of Haaland, Martin Odegaard and others had been expected to compete for top spot at the start of this Nations League campaign.

However, they started the evening at the bottom of Group A4 with just one win from four games, level with third-placed Wales on three points but below them because of their head-to-head record.

There was a hint of frustration from the expectant home crowd at half-time but, once Nusa put Norway in front, they never looked like squandering their advantage.

Haaland, who was shackled in Cardiff, was by no means at his devastating best, but he was still clinical enough to end the game with an assist and a remarkable 66th international goal from just 60 caps.