Wales vs Turkey LIVE: Nations League result and reaction as hosts settle for draw despite strong performance

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Nations League action as Wales face Turkey for the first match of their campaign.

It is the beginning of a new era for the Dragons as Craig Bellamy takes charge of his first game having replaced Rob Page as manager over the summer.

It is not an easy introduction for the Welshman as Turkey reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and are in very fine form.

We’ll have all the team news, updates and more throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 7.45pm

Wales open their Nations League campaign against Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday looking for the perfect start to Craig Bellamy’s reign.

Former Wales captain Bellamy was appointed manager in early July and has set about preparing Wales as they look to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, though the Nations League provides the first chances to shape his team and test themselves against similar opposition.

Nevertheless, their first test is against a Turkey side that many will feel are far superior to The Dragons, with players such as Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu having helped them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

Turkey left Germany disappointed after a narrow loss to the Netherlands, but their future is in safe hands and head coach Vincenzo Montella will look to build on an inspiring summer, starting with a win in Cardiff.

Wales vs Turkey kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Friday 6 September at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on S4C, with coverage starting at 7.20pm. It will also be available to watch via BBC iPlayer online and on the app.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Craig Bellamy’s first Wales squad features many of the names that fans have become used to seeing, including Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey, who Bellamy announced will retain the captaincy.

Ipswich pair Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns were not considered due to injury, and nor was Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks, while winger Dan James has been ruled out through injury.

Bellamy has added 33-year-old Karl Darlow as goalkeeping back-up, while recalling Mark Harris and Oli Cooper for the first time in over a year. Sorba Thomas has also been recalled, having left Huddersfield last summer to join Ligue 1 club Nantes on loan.

The Turkey squad is much the same as it was during Euro 2024, with new Brighton signing Ferdi Kadioglu the only notable absentee.

Former Leicester defender Çağlar Soyuncu returns to the squad after missing the summer tournament through injury, while stalwarts such as Hakan Calhanoglu, Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler and Barış Alper Yılmaz all retain their places.

Wales XI: Ward; Williams, Cabango, Rodon, Davies; Ampadu, James; Wilson, Ramsey, Johnson; Moore.

Turkey XI: Gunok; Muldur, Soyuncu, Akaydın, Bardakcı; Ozcan, Kokcu; Güler, Calhanoglu, Yildiz; Yilmaz.

Wales begin a new era under Craig Bellamy and several players will be desperate to impress, so Wales should be able to find a result against a Turkey side who performed well at Euro 2024. Turkey have more quality in their ranks, but the nature of the match means Wales should be able to get at least a draw.

Wales 1-1 Turkey.

An expanded Uefa Nations League is upon us as the first international break of the Premier League season ramps up.

The fourth edition of this competition adds an extra knockout round and maintains the jeopardy of promotion and relegation in its mini leagues – a fate England know too well after dropping to League B following a poor string of results in 2022.

Designed to eliminate meaningless international friendlies in favour of pitting similarly ranked nations against each other in a competitive environment, the Nations League has proven a springboard to success for previous winners Portugal, France and Spain.

England’s best result remains the third-place finish they achieved under Gareth Southgate in the 2018/19 inaugural edition. This time out, Lee Carsley’s men will aim for promotion back to the elite.

Craig Bellamy will begin his much-anticipated reign as Wales head coach on Friday with a Nations League match against Turkey in Cardiff.

He has used his first training sessions with the squad to implement a progressive new style of play and tonight’s game will provide an insight into how the team are developing.

“It’s going to be a very proud moment. I’ve worked hard for this and I’m going to recognise that,” said Bellamy, “But that moment when the game gets going, I’m not paid to be emotional. I’m paid to make the best decisions possible on the side.

“That’s the business I’m in straight away. Of course I’m proud and I’m fully aware that the moment is going to catch me. But it has to leave very quickly because there’s a big responsibility and the players need me as well in that moment.

“When I look back on my career I wished I’d enjoyed it more. I’m fully aware of what it means representing your country. But I want to enjoy it by being calm and clear on every situation that can occur in the game.”