Wales received Nations League promotion as Liam Cullen’s first two worldwide objectives helped them to a 4-1 victory over Iceland.
Craig Bellamy’s aspect accomplished an unbeaten six-game marketing campaign and overhauled Turkey – 3-1 losers in Montenegro – on the high of the group to safe elevation to League A.
That nearly definitely handed Wales a World Cup play-off place to fall again on ought to they not mechanically qualify for the 2026 match.
Promotion was achieved the onerous means following Andri Gudjohnsen’s early strike, and for 25 minutes Wales have been observing a relegation play-off towards a League C runner-up.
Swansea striker Cullen, profitable his seventh cap, turned the tide with a first-half double earlier than Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson topped victory with fantastic strikes.
It was Wilson’s fourth aim on this Nations League marketing campaign and his twelfth in complete for Wales.
How Wales earned promotion to Nations League high tier
Harry Wilson celebrates scoring the fourth aim for Wales
Iceland should have felt at house in chilly Cardiff with snow showers through the day and temperatures simply above freezing.
Bellamy had not been afraid to make adjustments for the second recreation of those double-headers, making 5 alterations in September and 7 in October.
On this event, following Saturday’s creditable 0-0 attract Turkey, Bellamy made 4 adjustments with Karl Darlow, Connor Roberts, Jordan James and Sorba Thomas making means.
In got here Danny Ward, Ben Cabango, Cullen and Daniel James as Mark Harris, compelled off at half-time in Kayseri following a nasty conflict of heads with team-mate Joe Rodon, retained his place within the line-up. Rodon additionally began to win his fiftieth cap.
Iceland made a quick begin with Ward tipping over Isak Bergmann Johannesson’s drive and have been forward after seven minutes.
Orri Oskarsson stole behind Cabango to fulfill Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s cross and power a effective save from Ward.
However Gudjohnsen was on the rebound in a flash and squeezed the ball via the legs of Ward with a end his father Eidur, the previous Chelsea and Barcelona ahead, would have admired.
Iceland’s Andri Gudjohnsen opened the scoring in Cardiff
It was the primary time Wales had fallen behind underneath Bellamy, and so they have been sluggish to reply as Iceland defended comfortably and sprang energetic assaults.
Cullen despatched a grasscutter at Hakon Valdimarsson and drew Wales degree after 32 minutes by nodding house Johnson’s cross.
Wales survived as Cabango headed away Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s deflected cross from underneath his personal crossbar and Gudjohnsen flashed over.
However Wales completed the half strongly as Valdimarsson denied Johnson and Harris earlier than Wilson received possession on the stroke of half-time with a sliding problem.
Harris slipped James via and his saveable shot was pushed into Cullen’s path, who nudged the ball previous Sverrir Ingi Ingason on the aim line from three yards.
Cullen celebrates placing Wales forward simply earlier than half-time
Valdimarsson saved from Ben Davies and Wilson, however Iceland continued to threaten Ward’s aim and Welsh uneasiness manifested itself in Bellamy being booked for complaining to the fourth official.
Ward reacted effectively to assist Mikael Egill Ellertsson’s shot over and the unmarked Thorsteinsson lacked composure when the ball fell at his toes within the field.
Wales have been in a position to breathe extra simply after 65 minutes after Cullen added an help to his brace, sending Johnson scampering away to bury his fifth worldwide aim low previous Valdimarsson.
Brennan Johnson scores the third aim for Wales
Cullen was additionally concerned within the fourth after 79 minutes, battling for possession contained in the Iceland half.
Wilson did the remainder with an unerring 20-yard shot to substantiate that Wales will now be starting their World Cup marketing campaign fairly than getting into the Nations League play-offs.
Bellamy: I am not a lunatic
Wales boss Craig Bellamy talking at his post-match press convention:
“I probably feel it was important to show people I am not a lunatic, I’m quite sane,” mentioned Bellamy, whose temperament throughout a vibrant enjoying profession on the high degree typically acquired him into hassle.
“People thought I was going to be running on the pitch and pushing the ref and stuff, getting sent off.
“I most likely felt extra pushed into administration to point out I’m not like that. Individuals used to deliver temperament up. ‘Oh yeah, however his temperament.’ I used to be like: ‘Actually?’ Now you get to see this aspect of me.
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Wales boss Craig Bellamy was visibly emotional at his aspect’s prospects of reaching a World Cup following a 4-1 victory over Iceland within the Nations League
“But you (media) were concerned, you were thinking: ‘I wonder what he’s going to be like?’ I understand that as well.
“You will see me even calmer and kinder, when it goes fallacious … now could be the worst interval you may get me in, as a result of my feelings are in all places.
“Trust me, you get nowhere being that way. I’m not naive enough to know those moments aren’t coming.
“I do not know when however it will occur. I really feel like some are ready for it to occur. I do know that and I’ve to remain calm with that.”
On being effectively guaranteed a World Cup play-off: “We wish to go to a World Cup. We have to get that ticked off. If we get there, we wish to compete.
“These players deserve to be there competing because of their buy-in. They are in. When you have a group like that, their togetherness and who they are as people.
“I believe I am fairly a humble individual, some do not know me. This group makes you humble.
“We had a member of staff whose close relative passed away, and players donated in memory of him.”
