Cymru 4-1 Iceland
- Craig Bellamy remains undefeated as Cymru manager
- Cymru earn promotion to League A
- Liam Cullen scores first goals with Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson also netting
Craig Bellamy is enjoying his start as manager of his country, still undefeated and promoted to the top of the UEFA Nations League.
Ahead of the match against Iceland, automatic promotion did not look likely as Türkiye were in the driving seat. However, a shock defeat in Montenegro opened the door for Bellamy’s team.
However, the trapdoor nearly opened for Cymru as they got off to a slow start against Iceland who made their domination count with an eighth minute goal from Andri Gudjohnsen. As things stood, Cymru were heading towards a relegation play-off.
It took Bellamy’s team a short while to get a foothold in the game but when they did, they never looked back.
Liam Cullen scored his first goal for Cymru when Neco Williams set-up Brennan Johnson to cross into the box. Cullen stole the march on his marker and headed the ball past Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson.
Cullen rounded off the half with another goal after the ball broke for him when Dan James saw his shot blocked by Valdimarsson. Having made sure he despatched the ball into the net, he rounded off a remarkable first half turnaround.
Iceland threw players forward in the second half and Cymru took advantage to hit their opponents twice more for a convincing victory.
Cullen was involved in the third goal as his exquisite through pass was weighted perfectly into Johnson’s path. The striker still had a lot to do under pressure from a defender but his technique was exceptional as he scored by placing the ball inside the far post.
Harry Wilson finished off the scoring with another rocket from outside the box after he picked up possession in midfield when Johnson was fouled.
With confirmation of Türkiye’s defeat in Montenegro, promotion was achieved and Cymru can look forward to being back amongst the elite of Europe in the next addition of the UEFA Nations League.
