Bellamy's Wales claim impressive win to secure Nations League promotion

Liam Cullen was the two-goal hero as Wales got here from behind to beat Iceland 4-1 and safe promotion to the highest tier of the UEFA Nations League.

Coming into the ultimate fixture, Craig Bellamy’s facet knew {that a} win and any dropped factors for Turkey would imply promotion, and guarantee they averted a play-off sport.

They needed to do it the arduous manner, coming from behind, as Andri Gudjohnsen, son of Eidur, put Age Hareide’s guests in entrance on eight minutes with a neat end between Danny Ward’s legs, after the Leicester Metropolis goalkeeper had saved out Orri Oskarsson in very good style.

Wales had been stage simply after the half-hour mark as Cullen stole in and glanced a deft header into the far nook from Brennan Johnson’s inswinging cross, and he was on the double on the stroke of half-time, sliding in to transform the rebound after Dan James had been initially denied by Hakon Valdirmarsson following good link-up play with Mark Harris.

Tottenham Hotspur’s in-form Johnson made it three with 65 minutes on the clock as Cullen turned supplier, enjoying a chic cross into the trail of the winger, who completed with aplomb.

Harry Wilson, the Fulham midfielder, carried his sizzling streak of membership kind onto the worldwide stage as he notched the hosts’ fourth with a sensational strike from exterior the world, once more made by Cullen, who confirmed wonderful dedication to make a protracted punt from Ward stick and maintain off Iceland centre-back Sverrir Ingason.

Wales had performed all they may to safe promotion, and luck was on their facet, with Montenegro beating Turkey within the different sport to substantiate The Dragons as group winners, and condemn Turkey to the play-offs.

In earlier years, Wales groups may effectively have crumbled below the stress of going a objective down in such an necessary sport, however not this time, not below Bellamy.

The previous Manchester Metropolis and West Ham United ahead is unbeaten in his tenure as Welsh supervisor, and he has instilled a newfound perception on this younger Wales facet, who lack the departed previous heads of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

As an alternative, they’ve their new guard coming to the fore – Johnson, Cullen, Joe Rodon and the remainder – and so they march on into Europe’s prime tier, to tackle the continent’s elites as soon as extra.

It’s arduous to not award it to a participant with a hand in all 4 of his facet’s targets.

The Swansea Metropolis midfielder ran the present in Cardiff, scoring twice and aiding the others, in a whole efficiency from the engine room.

He confirmed his need to interrupt into the field, his willingness to get caught in and do his defensive duties, and likewise his inventive instincts, demonstrated by his threaded by ball for Johnson’s end.

Wales: Ward 7, Williams 6, Cabango 7, Rodon 7, Davies 6, Cullen 9, Sheehan 6, Johnson 7, Wilson 7, D James 6, Harris 7. Subs: Thomas 6, Allen 6, Roberts 6, J James 6.

Iceland: Valdimarsson 6, Fridriksson 6, Ingason 6, Palsson 6, Sampsted 6, Gudmundsson 5, Johannesson 6, Traustason 5, Thorsteinsson 6, Gudjohnsen 6, Oskarsson 6. Subs: Thordarson 6, Willumsson 6, Porhallsson 6, Ellertsson 6.

8’: GOAL! WALES 0-1 ICELAND (GUDJOHNSEN) It is there, and Wales are behind so early! Williams does not cope with a deep cross, as Oskarsson powers a header at objective from Gudmundsson’s cross. Ward makes a fantastic save, getting up, however Gudjohnsen is onto the rebound, and he slots between Ward’s legs to open the scoring.

32’: GOAL! WALES 1-1 ICELAND (CULLEN) Wales are stage, and it is Liam Cullen! The house facet deserve that, they have been excellent within the final ten minutes. Rodon switches play for Johnson, who has Williams in assist. The complete-back returns it to Johnson, who swings in a left-footed cross, and Cullen glances a header into the far nook! 1-1!

45+1’: GOAL! WALES 2-1 ICELAND (CULLEN) That is the elusive objective that Wales had been in search of, and it is Cullen who doubles his cash! Dan James does rather well when he is slid in by Harris, and he goes for objective however is denied by Valdimarsson, however Cullen is there to slip the rebound house!

65’: GOAL! WALES 3-1 ICELAND (JOHNSON) It is three, and it is the person in kind, Brennan Johnson! A slick counter assault, harrying the Icelandic midfield, as Cullen claims possession and slides an ideal cross in for Johnson, who speeds down the appropriate. He bears down on objective, and slots it into the far nook with aplomb.

79’: GOAL! WALES 4-1 ICELAND (WILSON) It is 4, and that may be a sensational strike from Wilson! It is route one stuff from the house facet, as Ward goes lengthy in direction of Cullen, who makes the ball stick and has Ingason struggling. Wilson picks up the items and hits it fantastically, with the trouble dipping into the underside nook!