Wales v Iceland LIVE: Nations League updates as Wales win automatic promotion
Wales 4-1 Iceland: A superb second-half performance secures promotion for Bellamy’s side
Wales beat Iceland 4-1 in Cardiff on Tuesday night to finish top of Nations League Group B4 and gain automatic promotion.
The hosts started slowly and went behind early on after Andri Gudjohnsen turned in the rebound from Oskarsson’s header.
But Craig Bellamy’s side eventually settled and managed to fight back, with Brennan Johnson’s cross the catalyst as it was turned in by the head of Liam Cullen at the far post.
From there, Wales were in the ascendancy, and despite riding their luck at times, the dominance paid off as a lightning-quick counter was finished off by Cullen, who tapped in after Dan James’ shot was saved.
The second half started positively for the home side, and though both sides created chances, it was Wales who struck again after Johnson finished off another quick counter.
Soon after, news broke that Turkey were 3-1 down to Montenegro, and it only got better from there, with Harry Wilson latching onto a loose ball and rifling a long-range effort in to seal a memorable night in the capital.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, news and reaction below:
Wales 2-1 Iceland
60 mins
CLOSE! How hasn’t this gone in!?
Iceland come forward and Gudjohnsen takes down the long ball before squeezing in a cross to Thorsteinsson at the near post. He should really score but he doesn’t get clean contact, and it comes off the defender almost on the line.
Iceland want a penalty for handball, but it’s waved away.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
58 mins
Great work from James to dig out the cross and it almost forces Valdimarsson into spilling it in his area, but the ‘keeper does well to recover.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
56 mins
Williams does well to read the pass and he can start a counter. They work it to James, who drives a shot at the defender for a corner.
Wales take it short, quickly, and Davies forces the ‘keeper to tip his header over the bar.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
54 mins
Iceland have fought their way back into it a little over the last few minutes. They’re knocking it around comfortably now.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
52 mins
Ward makes a good save after Ellertsson’s shot from distance, and Iceland have a corner. The set-piece is fired into Gudjohnsen, who’s unmarked at the near post, but he fluffs his lines and can’t direct it goalwards.
Moments later, Thorsteinsson hits a volley narrowly wide of the far post.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
49 mins
Johnson is guilty of lacking the quality this time, as he latches onto a great through ball down the right but can’t get his cross away.
Moments later, Dan James cuts inside and fires over from distance.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
47 mins
Wales certainly look the more confident of the two sides as the second half begins, though again they’re just lacking that little bit of quality.
They almost work a great free-kick too, but Wilson’s pass is just overhit.
KICK-OFF! Wales 2-1 Iceland
The hosts get us underway again in Cardiff.
Iceland have made a change, with Gudmundsson coming off for Þórðarson.
HALF-TIME! Wales 2-1 Iceland
Both teams are coming back onto the pitch, so we’ll be back in action soon.
HALF-TIME! Wales 2-1 Iceland
It’s been an entertaining half for the neutral, with Iceland dominating at first but Wales fighting back with two great goals from Liam Cullen.
The hosts were in the ascendancy towards the end of the half and they were rewarded with what could be a vital goal, though the question is whether they can maintain their momentum.
Remember, if the scores stay the same, Wales will be promoted and avoid the play-off in March!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments