Sponsor Logo

    Montenegro vs. Cymru | 2025 UEFA Nations League – League phase – GrpB4

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Craig Bellamy provides his post-match thoughts following the win.

        4. This is what it means. A first win for Craig Bellamy as Cymru Head Coach.

        5. How it stands

          Türki̇ye and Cymru are level on points at the top of Group B4 in the UEFA Nations League as both teams claimed their first victories of the campaign on Monday night.

          Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored a hat-trick for Türki̇ye in their 3-1 win over Iceland while Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson sealed a first win for Head Coach Craig Bellamy as Montenegro were defeated 2-1 in Nikšić.

        7. Incredible support as always from the Red Wall this evening. Diolch.

        8. MATCH SUMMARY

          Craig Bellamy claimed his first victory as Cymru Head Coach but his side had to work hard in awful conditions to defeat Montenegro 2-1 in Nikšić in what was a memorable UEFA Nations League encounter.

          Despite making five changes, Cymru enjoyed the perfect start as Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson both found the back of the net inside the opening three minutes as the torrential rain poured down, but Montenegro showed a positive reaction and quickly composed themselves to create some clear chances of their own.

          Captain Stevan Jovetić hit the bar with an effort from inside his own half. Debutant Cymru goalkeeper Karl Darlow then denied Jovetić with a fine double save before captain Ben Davies cleared an effort off the line from the rebound.

          The conditions continued to make a lottery of the playing surface as the teams emerged for the 2nd half and it was Montenegro who enjoyed the better possession without causing any real problems for the Cymru defence. At the other end, Brennan Johnson was denied by goalkeeper Milan Mijatović before Moore missed a golden opportunity from close range.

          Jovetić continued to ask questions for the home side and Darlow had to be at his best to deny him yet again. However, Darlow was finally beaten after 73 minutes when Driton Camaj brought Montenegro back into the match as he found himself unmarked in the Cymru area.

          Montenegro went in desperate search of an equaliser but Cymru held firm to claim maximum points and with it continue their undefeated start in Group B4. Bellamy will have learned a lot about his players in this testing international camp, and this new and exciting era is very much underway.

        9. 90' + 5'

          Relief and three points for Cymru at the final whistle. An excellent result in difficult conditions against a side that did not give up.

        10. 90' + 4'

          Yellow card

          JAMES Jordan Anthony

        11. 90' + 4'

          Yellow card

          JAMES Jordan Anthony

        12. Sorba Thomas in possession

        13. 80'

          Substitution

          RAMSEY Aaron James replaces WILSON Harry

        14. 80'

          Substitution

          HARRIS Mark replaces MOORE Kieffer Roberto Francisco

        15. 80'

          A huge final ten minutes for Cymru now. Montenegro have the momentum and have made a string of substitutions. This will be a real test for Craig Bellamy and his player now.

        16. 80'

          Substitution

          RAMSEY Aaron James replaces WILSON Harry

        17. 80'

          Substitution

          HARRIS Mark replaces MOORE Kieffer Roberto Francisco

        18. Neco Williams carries the ball forward

        19. 77'

          Substitution

          RISTO RADUNOVIĆ replaces ANDRIJA VUKČEVIĆ

        20. 77'

          Substitution

          RISTO RADUNOVIĆ replaces ANDRIJA VUKČEVIĆ

        21. 74'

          Substitution

          NOVICA ERAKOVIĆ replaces STEVAN JOVETIĆ

        22. 74'

          Substitution

          MARKO VUKČEVIĆ replaces ADAM MARUŠIĆ

        23. 74'

          Substitution

          MARKO VUKČEVIĆ replaces ADAM MARUŠIĆ

        24. 74'

          Substitution

          NOVICA ERAKOVIĆ replaces STEVAN JOVETIĆ

        25. 73'

          Goal

          DRITON CAMAJ

        26. 73'

          GOAL!

          Montenegro get themselves back into the match as Driton Camaj makes no mistake as he finds himself free in the area. Cymru still lead 2-1 but will they rue those earlier missed chances now that the home side are very much back in this game.

        27. 73'

          Goal

          DRITON CAMAJ

        28. 71'

          A good save from Karl Darlow to deny Stevan Jovetić from close range. The goalkeeper can be satisfied with his debut performance so far.

        29. 70'

          Substitution

          MILUTIN OSMAJIĆ replaces MILOŠ BRNOVIĆ

        30. 70'

          Substitution

          MARKO BAKIĆ replaces STEFAN MUGOŠA

        31. 70'

          Substitution

          MARKO BAKIĆ replaces STEFAN MUGOŠA

        32. 70'

          Montenegro Head Coach Robert Prosinečki rolls the dice with a double substitution. His side desperately need a goal soon if they are to take anything from this match, and at the moment it is Cymru that are very much in control.

        33. 70'

          Substitution

          MILUTIN OSMAJIĆ replaces MILOŠ BRNOVIĆ

        34. Captain Ben Davies clears in the rain

        35. 66'

          A huge chance for Kieffer Moore to make the game safe but he skies his stretched effort from just a couple of yards out with the goalkeeper nowhere to be seen. He won’t get many better chances than that to add to his Cymru goal tally.

        36. Craig Bellamy watches on

        37. 61'

          Cymru have taken back control now with Harry Wilson again trying his luck from range but without success this time. A third goal for the visitors would surely seal the points now.

        38. 60'

          Substitution

          JAMES Jordan Anthony replaces COOPER Oliver Joseph

        39. 60'

          Substitution

          JAMES Jordan Anthony replaces COOPER Oliver Joseph

        40. A wet night in Montenegro

        41. 58'

          A decent strike from Brennan Johnson but goalkeeper Milan Mijatović parries it away before Neco Williams fails to hit the target.

        42. 57'

          Yellow card

          ADAM MARUŠIĆ

        43. 57'

          Yellow card

          ADAM MARUŠIĆ

        44. 56'

          Montenegro enjoying a lot more possession in the Cymru half but not using it to any real effect. The rain continues to pour down.

        45. 51'

          Yellow card

          MEPHAM Christopher

        46. 51'

          Sorba Thomas put in an excellent performance against Türkiye on Friday night and will play in the same attacking role having replaced Lewis Koumas at half-time.

        47. 49'

          Yellow card

          WILLIAMS Neco

        48. 49'

          Yellow card

          MILOŠ BRNOVIĆ

        49. 49'

          Yellow card

          MILOŠ BRNOVIĆ

        50. 49'

          Yellow card

          WILLIAMS Neco

        51. Cymru pride

        53. 46'

          Substitution

          THOMAS Sorba replaces KOUMAS Lewis

        54. 46'

          Substitution

          THOMAS Sorba replaces KOUMAS Lewis

        55. Half-time verdict: An incredible start from Cymru as goals from Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson (below) inside the first three minutes put Craig Bellamy’s side 2-0 ahead. Montenegro reacted well though and created a couple of clear chances of their own. There could have, and probably should have, been a lot more goals already, but the conditions are getting worse and it’s setup to be an entertaining 2nd half.

        56. 43'

          Substitution

          JOHNSON Brennan replaces ROBERTS Connor Richard John

        57. 43'

          Substitution

          JOHNSON Brennan replaces ROBERTS Connor Richard John

        58. 43'

          An enforced change for Cymru as Connor Roberts is replaced by Brennan Johnson, a switch that will probably see Neco Williams drop back to a more defensive role.

        59. Oli Cooper on his first Cymru start

        60. 36'

          A lot of surface water in certain areas of the pitch now causing problems for both teams, and could be responsible for a few mistakes as the rain continues to fall.

        61. Cymru captain Ben Davies in control

        62. 30'

          Not sure how but between them goalkeeper Karl Darlow and captain Ben Davies have stopped Montenegro from pulling a goal back with some desperate defending. Another scare for the visitors and a boost for the home side.

        63. The Cymru starting line-up

        64. 23'

          Cymru lead 2-0 at the midway point in what has been a frenetic opening half so far. Both teams have had their share of chances, but it’s the visitors that have made their chances count. Still a lot more to come in this one you would think.

        65. 17'

          Plenty of debate before the match about how Cymru would line-up, and in particular, where would Neco Williams (below) feature. Craig Bellamy has opted to move him further forward and play in support of striker Kieffer Moore alongside Lewis Koumas and Harry Wilson. It will be interesting to see how he performs in this new role this evening

        66. 14'

          We highlighted Stevan Jovetić for Montenegro before the match and the captain has just hit the crossbar from an obscene distance. It’s been a positive reaction from the home side after conceding those two early goals.

        67. 8'

          A decent chance there for Montenegro but Krstović puts it wide despite finding himself with plenty of space in the Cymru area. A clear warning that there is still a long way to go in this one.

        68. Montenegro Head Coach Robert Prosinečki is absolutely fuming with the way this game has started for his side. Both he and Bellamy are pretty animated on the touchline but for very different reasons.

        69. 3'

          Goal

          WILSON Harry

        70. 3'

          GOAL!

          Incredible football from Cymru again as Harry Wilson makes it 2-0 with a superb finish from around 25 yards. This is the absolute dream start for Craig Bellamy.

        71. 3'

          Goal

          WILSON Harry

        72. 2'

          Yellow card

          AMPADU Ethan

        73. 2'

          Yellow card

          AMPADU Ethan

        74. 1'

          Goal

          MOORE Kieffer Roberto Francisco

        75. 1'

          Goal

          MOORE Kieffer Roberto Francisco

        76. 1'

          GOAL!

          What a start! Kieffer Moore makes it 1-0 to Cymru after just 38 seconds! The first goal of the Craig Bellamy era. A fine first-time strike from inside the area.

        78. The Red Wall have travelled to Montenegro in their numbers this evening to get behind Craig Bellamy’s side and are already making all the noise.

          Bellamy has made five changes to his starting line-up, but one consistent to his tenure so far has been the weather. Torrential rain in Cardiff on Friday, torrential rain in Montenegro on Monday.

        80. The Cymru players are checking out the surroundings ahead of tonight’s UEFA Nations League match against Montenegro.

        83. Opposition view

          Montenegro Head Coach Robert Prosinečki has also made a number of changes to his team with just five players that started the 2-0 defeat to Iceland on Friday retaining their place.

          The most-notable inclusion is captain and all-time leading goalscorer Stevan Jovetić who has 36 international goals from his 79 appearances for the the side, including two goals against Cymru in 2009 and 2011.

          The 34-year old is currently without a club following his departure from Olympiacos at the end of last season, where he lifted the UEFA Conference League trophy.

        84. Team news

          Cymru Head Coach Craig Bellamy has made five changes to his starting line-up for the UEFA Nations League match against Montenegro this evening.

          Ben Davies captains the side while goalkeeper Karl Darlow makes his Cymru debut. Kieffer Moore returns to the starting line-up while Oli Cooper and 18-year old Lewis Koumas both make their first senior international starts.

          Captain Aaron Ramsey, Jordan James, Sorba Thomas, Brennan Johnson and goalkeeper Danny Ward are all named on the bench after starting in the 0-0 draw against Türkiye in Cardiff on Friday night.

        87. This is the Gradski Stadion, Nikšić, where Cymru will take on Montenegro later this evening. Team news to follow in just under one hour.

        89. Squad update

          Striker Liam Cullen (below) has not travelled to Montenegro with the Cymru squad and has returned to Swansea City having failed to recover from an ankle injury.

          Meanwhile, defender Chris Mepham is back in contention having served his suspension in the 0-0 draw against Türkiye on Friday night.

        92. Win a signed shirt

          Win a Cymru shirt, signed by manager Craig Bellamy, by voting for your favourite magic moment from his Cymru playing career.

          Click here to enter

        93. No excuses for Bellamy

          Cymru Head Coach Craig Bellamy has made it clear that the change of venue for tonight’s UEFA Nations League match against Montenegro will not affect his side.

          The match was originally scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Podgorica but due to the state of the playing surface it has been switched to the smaller Gradski stadion in nearby Nikšić.

          “There are really no excuses,” Bellamy explained. “Where does it get you? It’s just so what? It’s normal. Nothing’s supposed to go straightforward. That’s what it is. Can we go out there and be the best we can be? That is it.

          “I’ve watched a lot of them, people have been here to have a look at everything. We’re aware of where we’re going. There’s a running track around the pitch, which is a little bit different. Hopefully we’ll have ball boys on the side because we could lose 20 to 30 seconds for every throw-in. It does happen.

          “We’d really like the game to go quick, quick, quick. But we’ll have to wait and see on that. They might want the game to go really quick and we might want to slow it down. It’s just adapting. All different challenges, every challenge you learn more about individuals and as a group.”

        96. Cymru arrive

          The Cymru squad arrived in Montenegro last night ahead of their next UEFA Nations League challenge in Group B4.

          Head Coach Craig Bellamy and captain Aaron Ramsey both spoke to the media to reflect on Friday’s 0-0 draw with Türkiye in Cardiff and look ahead to Monday’s match against Montenegro.

          “Different opposition, different threats, different qualities, different weaknesses, so we’ll definitely look to adapt,” said Bellamy. “I watched a lot of Montenegro leading into this, the game against Iceland, and we’re quite clear about what we want to do.”

        99. Preparation

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground this morning before heading to Montenegro for the second match of the new UEFA Nations League campaign.

          Following the 0-0 draw with Türkiye in Cardiff on Friday, Head Coach Craig Bellamy will be looking for his side to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal against a Montenegro team that began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Iceland.

        102. Thomas on Bellamy

          Sorba Thomas put in a man of the match performance for Cymru against Türkiye on Friday night and has spoken about the influence of new Head Coach Craig Bellamy.

          “Him showing faith in me was amazing for me and my family, and I just wanted to show him how good I am on the ball,” said Thomas in a story on BBC Sport Wales. “He is someone who played in the position I play in, and it is good to learn from him. He pulls me to one side to give me some advice.

          “I’ve taken it on board, and he told me to just be free when I got the ball, and that’s what I did. We are going to be a threat at international level. The manager and the coaching staff, that is what they are going to make us do. We are a country coming under the radar and a lot of countries are going to be wary of us.”

          Click here for the full story

        104. Meet the Ref

          Georgi Kabakov will take charge of the UEFA Nations League match between Cymru and Montenegro on Monday. The 38-year old Bulgarian has been a FIFA referee since 2013 and has regularly officiated in UEFA club and national team competitions.

          Cymru fans may remember Kabakov from the 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff in June 2023 as he took charge of that EURO qualifier (below), and in July 2017 was the referee for the UEFA Champions League match between The New Saints and Croatian side Rijeka at Park Hall, Oswestry.

          Kabakov will be assisted by Martin Margaritov and Diyan Valkov while Nikola Popov is the Fourth official. Dragomir Draganov is the VAR and he will be assisted by Vasimir El-Hatib. All of the officials are from Bulgaria.

        106. Previous meetings

          There have been just three previous meetings between Cymru and Montenegro, with Head Coach Craig Bellamy part of the Cymru team that claimed their only win to date against Monday’s opponents.

          Montenegro won the first two meetings between two nations as they followed up a 2-1 friendly victory in August 2009 with a 1-0 victory in EURO qualifying in September 2010. It would prove to be John Toshack’s final match as Cymru manager as he resigned six days later.

          The late Gary Speed was in charge for the return EURO qualifier one year later as goals from Steve Morison and current captain Aaron Ramsey (below) sealed a 2-1 win in Cardiff. Ramsey was just 19 at the time and scored his fourth international goal while also captaining the team that day too.

        109. The opposition

          Robert Prosinečki was key player for Croatia during a successful era for the national team and was part of the squad that finished third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

          Now Head Coach of Montenegro having been appointed at the start of year, Prosinečki never came up against Cymru as a player, but will now go head-to-head with Craig Bellamy on Monday with both teams looking for their first victory of the UEFA Nations League campaign.

          This is Prosinečki’s fourth different international coaching role in a post-playing career that began as assistant coach of Croatia between 2006 and 2010. The former midfielder would then take charge of Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina between various club appointments prior to his arrival in Montenegro.

        111. Quick turnaround

          The Craig Bellamy Cymru era is officially underway following the 0-0 draw against Türkiye in Cardiff on Friday night and now the squad head to Montenegro for their next UEFA Nations League challenge on Monday night.

          Bellamy had promised high-energy and intensity before the match and his team did not disappoint as Cymru dominated large periods of the match but just could not find the goal they deserved.

          The final preparations for the next match will inevitably now focus on rest and recovery for the players while Bellamy and his backroom staff will study the footage of Iceland’s 2-0 win over Montenegro on Friday which leaves their opponents at the bottom of Group B4.

        112. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

                P
                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

                Learn more from FA Wales

                Sign up to receive all things FAW, from team news, tickets, domestic, grassroots, to exclusive offers and prize draws.

                We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here.