Montenegro v Wales LIVE: Nations League final score and result after Moore and Wilson strike early
Craig Bellamy’s Wales side built on a positive first result against Turkey with victory over Montenegro in the Nations League
Wales have beaten Montenegro 2-1 in their Nations League match in Niksic.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Kieffer Moore pounced on the ball in the box and lashed home off the post with only 38 seconds on the clock. And just two minutes later, Harry Wilson thumped a long-range strike into the net to give Wales a two-goal lead.
Montenegro came back into the game, with captain Stefan Jovetic hitting the bar from the halfway line and missing a sitter which was well saved by Welsh keeper Karl Darlow, among an array of chances. Driton Camaj eventually pulled one back in the second half, but it was too little, too late.
The game played out in driving rain as a soaked manager, Craig Bellamy, watched his new-look side continue their more aggressive, front-foot approach. And it paid off as they added to an initial draw with Turkey in Cardiff last week with three valuable points here.
Montenegro 0-2 Wales
9 min: A warning for Wales, though, as they drop the tempo and allow Montenegro to come forwards. A cross is fired in from the right and Nikola Krstovic is in space at the back post, but his first-time shot bounces just wide of Karl Darlow’s post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Montenegro 0-2 Wales
6 min: On the touchline, Craig Bellamy is absolutely soaked through as the rain continues to tumble, but he will not care a jot. This has been the dream start.
GOAL! Montenegro 0-2 Wales (Wilson, 3 min)
It’s two, and this one is a stunner! Neco Williams dribbles in from the right and touches it back for Harry Wilson, arriving on the scene around 30 yards out. Wilson takes a touch before swerving a high shot with his left which swerves and dips into the top corner.
What a crazy start to the game.
GOAL! Montenegro 0-1 Wales (Moore, 1 min)
Wow! What a start this is. Harry Wilson tries to get old of the ball on the edge of the box and it pinballs away and back off him, falling nicely into the path of Kieffer Moore, who does not hesitate to swipe a finish against the post and in from around the penalty spot. Sluggish from Montenegro but what a brilliant start for Wales.
Montenegro v Wales
Stefan Jovetic and Ben Davies engage in the captains’ coin toss, and it looks like the home side will kick-off.
A reminder of the Welsh line-up tonight:
Wales XI: Darlow; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Cooper, Ampadu, N Williams; H Wilson, Moore, Koumas.
Montenegro v Wales
It is hammering down with rain in Montenegro tonight as the Welsh national anthem blares out. There are plenty of visiting fans to sing along. Kick-off is moments away...
The main talking points as Wales travel to Montenegro in Nations League
Wales are away to Montenegro in the Nations League on Monday night.
Craig Bellamy’s first match in charge ended in a 0-0 draw at home to Turkey on Friday, while Montenegro were beaten 2-0 in Iceland.
Below, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Group B4 fixture in Niksic.
The main talking points as Wales travel to Montenegro in Nations League
The Dragons began the Craig Bellamy era with a goalless draw against Turkey at home.
‘Way more to come’ from Wales after Turkey draw – Craig Bellamy
New boss Craig Bellamy promised Wales will improve after 10-man Turkey denied him a debut win in the Nations League.
Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey held on for a 0-0 draw at Cardiff City Stadium, despite losing striker Baris Alper Yilmaz to a 62nd-minute red card for two bookable offences.
Bellamy said: “[The players were] outstanding. We’ve had a lot of work this week, a lot of meetings, and I’m always conscious of the load of information given to the players in a short space of time.
“They were great all week, so that gives you confidence going into the game”.
‘Way more to come’ from Wales after Turkey draw – Craig Bellamy
The Dragons dominated possession, territory and chances but could not find a winner at Cardiff City Stadium.
Montenegro v Wales talking points
Bad memories
Wales’ last visit to Montenegro in September 2010 ended in defeat and a managerial departure within days.
Marko Vucinic’s first-half finish proved the winner in a Euro 2012 qualifying tie in Podgorica, a result which signalled that end of John Toshack’s six-year reign.
Wales did win the reverse fixture 2-1 in Cardiff 12 months later, but lost the only other meeting between the two countries – a 2-1 friendly defeat in Podgorica in August 2009.
Montenegro v Wales talking points
Venue change
Montenegro are hosting a men’s senior international in Niksic, around 45 minutes north of the capital Podgorica, for the first time.
The decision was made only two weeks ago after UEFA ruled Podgorica’s National Stadium was unplayable because of craters on the surface and the large areas of grass that were missing.
Niksic’s City Stadium only holds around 5,000 and it remains to be seen whether playing there means Montenegro have lost a significant chunk of their home advantage.
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