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

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

Erling Haaland can seem unstoppable - but Wales managed it a month ago. In Norway on Saturday, they hope the plan will work again.

It is a question many have asked but only a few have answered successfully. How do you stop Erling Haaland?

Wales will be faced with that daunting task when they travel to Oslo on Saturday to face Norway in the Nations League.

With a record 65 goals in just 59 games for his country – not to mention the hundreds he has scored for Manchester City and his previous clubs – Haaland has conquered most defences he has encountered.

But Wales managed to shackle him during their 2-1 win in Cardiff a month ago. In that sense, they have a blueprint to keep the fearsome striker at bay.

"You're talking about trying to deal with one of the best players in his position in the world, and we've been seeing that for several years now," says Wales head coach Craig Bellamy.

"He's different to what you would normally have to deal with. He has the profile of everything you want in a player, and that's quite rare.

"It's a collective responsibility, not just an individual one."

Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Bellamy felt his team needed to take a calculated risk.

In brief

It is a question many have asked but only a few have answered successfully. How do you stop Erling Haaland? Wales will be faced with that daunting task when they travel to Oslo on Saturday to face Norway in the Nations League. Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC Sport. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at BBC Sport ↗

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