Harry Wilson maintained Wales’ goalscoring file in a 1-0 Nations League win over Montenegro as supervisor Craig Bellamy made Welsh soccer historical past.
Bellamy turned the primary Wales supervisor to go unbeaten in his first 4 video games, along with his aspect two factors behind Group B4 leaders Turkey and profitable 4-2 in Iceland.
Wilson has discovered himself an insignificant participant at Fulham this season, taking part in simply 36 minutes within the Premier League.
However the 27-year-old’s affect within the Wales squad is steadily rising and he scored once more after scoring in opposition to Montenegro and Iceland.
By profitable and changing a penalty within the thirty sixth minute, Wilson turned the primary Welshman to attain for his nation in three consecutive video games since Gareth Bale at Euro 2016.
How does Wales, who lacks power, preserve its path to promotion?
Wales’ squad has been weakened by harm and suspension, with the suspended Brennan Johnson and Jordan James becoming a member of the injured trio of Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James on the sidelines.
Bellamy had promised to make modifications within the quick turnaround and fewer than 72 hours earlier than the ultimate whistle blew in Reykjavik, and he made good on his promise.
Karl Darlow replaces Danny Ward in purpose, with Ben Cabango, David Brooks, Liam Cullen, Mark Harris, Josh Sheehan and Wes Burns additionally coming from The bench was promoted whereas Bellamy made seven substitutions.
This implies there may be nonetheless no beginning spot for Joe Allen, who reversed his resolution to retire from the nationwide workforce in February 2023 and be part of Wells in coaching camp.
The 2 groups had endured a chaotic sport 5 weeks in the past, with Wales scoring twice within the first three minutes to win 2-1 earlier than Nikicic’s onslaught led to a near-farce affair.
Montenegro – ranked 74th on the earth, 45 locations beneath Wales – have proven sufficient defiance to counsel they could possibly be in an ungainly place in Cardiff, regardless of failing to win of their first three video games. to any factors.
Regardless of an unfamiliar line-up, Wales dominated the primary interval and will have taken a cushty lead by way of Wilson’s penalty.
The gang of 27,326 was gradual to make its voice heard however Burns ought to have celebrated his first purpose for Wales as Wilson headed the ball broad in direction of the far submit.
Regardless of a scarcity of sport time at Bournemouth, Brooks began brightly, firing a low shot in direction of Igor Nikic and the Montenegrin keeper did effectively to maintain out Wilson’s effort.
Wales’ probabilities began to come back in matches and begins: Harris failed to fulfill Neco Williams’ cross and the purpose was at his mercy; Cullen beat Nikic’s by way of ball, however it was overshot and Brooks’ 25 The shot was pushed away.
The mounting frustration lastly got here to an finish when Wales took a brief nook and Wilson was introduced down by Vladimir Jovovich within the field.
Slovak referee Filip Glova slowly pointed it out, maybe with a nudge from his assistant, and Wilson calmly awarded Nikic the mistaken strategy to give Wales the lead.
Wilson missed one other participant by inches with an help from Harris, and Montenegro referred to as on Inter Milan and Manchester Metropolis veteran Steve Jovetic within the second half.
Jovetic’s arrival shocked Montenegro and substitute Andrija Radulovic hit the crossbar from distance earlier than Allen, making his seventy fifth look for Montenegro, saved the again door closed.
Nathan Brodhead missed an opportunity after approaching instead and Williams’ late free-kick was saved, however Wales averted the troubles they’ve suffered within the second half of the season.
Bellamy: We managed the tempo
Wales supervisor Craig Bellamy advised S4C:
“Having the ability to management the tempo within the second half. We nonetheless want to enhance as a result of clearly once you win 1-0 you get breakthroughs and really feel like you’ll be able to rating at each alternative, however they turned harmful on the counter-attack.
“We managed the tempo of the sport, however I am glad we did not get into transitional video games. I felt like we had been capable of management the sport higher than we’ve not too long ago.
“There have been numerous modifications and this nationwide league is superb as a result of it permits you to play with gamers once they want sport time. I feel we want greater than 20 gamers to essentially qualify for the massive tournaments. I feel in the long run , which can assist us.
“I’m not talking as an skilled coach, however I really feel like rotating in and giving gamers alternatives like in the present day will probably be very helpful.”
What to do subsequent?
Wells will go to Türkiye on Saturday 16 November as their Nations League journey continues.