First win for Cymru under Bellamy

Montenegro 1-2 Cymru

• Craig Bellamy notches up first win
• Cymru score two goals in opening three minutes
• Kieffer Williams goal timed at 37 seconds
• October: Iceland (away), Montenegro (home)

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.