Montenegro v Wales LIVE: Nations League final score and result after Moore and Wilson strike early
Craig Bellamy’s Wales side built on a positive first result against Turkey with victory over Montenegro in the Nations League
Wales have beaten Montenegro 2-1 in their Nations League match in Niksic.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Kieffer Moore pounced on the ball in the box and lashed home off the post with only 38 seconds on the clock. And just two minutes later, Harry Wilson thumped a long-range strike into the net to give Wales a two-goal lead.
Montenegro came back into the game, with captain Stefan Jovetic hitting the bar from the halfway line and missing a sitter which was well saved by Welsh keeper Karl Darlow, among an array of chances. Driton Camaj eventually pulled one back in the second half, but it was too little, too late.
The game played out in driving rain as a soaked manager, Craig Bellamy, watched his new-look side continue their more aggressive, front-foot approach. And it paid off as they added to an initial draw with Turkey in Cardiff last week with three valuable points here.
Montenegro v Wales talking points
Koumas chance?
One striker keen to show his goal-scoring ability is Lewis Koumas, the Liverpool teenager who has hit the Championship ground running at the start of a Stoke loan spell.
Koumas made his competitive international debut as a second-half substitute against Turkey and did not look out of place.
It may be asking too much of the 18-year-old to solve Wales’ scoring problems right now, but fans are already excited by Koumas’ arrival on the international scene.
Montenegro v Wales talking points
Scoreless streak
Wales’ failure to make the most of their opportunities against Turkey stretched their scoreless streak to four games – their worst run since 2012.
The Dragons have not scored since a 4-1 Euro 2024 semi-final play-off win against Finland in March, failing to find the net against Poland, Gibraltar, Slovakia and Turkey since.
Bellamy promised changes after the Turkey draw and ending Wales’ goal drought will be a clear priority.
Montenegro v Wales talking points
First impressions
The Bellamy era began in positive fashion against Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey at Cardiff City Stadium.
Although Wales failed to score, there was an intent and vibrancy about the performance as players instantly adapted to Bellamy’s methods.
Bellamy will hope that intensity can be repeated on foreign soil just three days after putting so much into the Turkey game.
Change in system for Wales?
Bellamy deployed a 4-3-3 against Turkey but it looks like he might be shifting to something more like a 3-4-3 tonight, with Mepham, Rodon, Davies at the back and Roberts and Neco Williams as wing-backs. That will give Lewis Koumas and Harry Wilson to float inside as No 10s and, hopefully for Wales, cause some havoc.
Wales make five changes as teenager Lewis Koumas starts
Craig Bellamy makes five changes to the side that draw with Turkey as Danny Ward, Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, Brennan Johnson and Sorba Thomas all drop out of the side.
Karl Darlow, Chris Mepham, Ollie Cooper, Lewis Koumas and Kieffer Moore all come into the starting XI.
Darlow replacing Ward shows that the goalkeeping position is very much up for grabs under the new manager, while Bellamy clearly feels he needs to take care of captain Ramsey after an injury-ridden year. And what a chance this is for the teenaged Koumas, the Liverpool 18-year-old on loan at Stoke City who starts tonight.
Montenegro v Wales: Line-ups
Montenegro: Mijatovic; Marusic, Sipcic, Rubezic, Vukcevic; Brnovic, Jovovic; Camaj, Jovetic, Krstovic; Mugosa.
Wales: Darlow; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Cooper, Ampadu, N.Williams; H.Wilson, Moore, Koumas.
Wales’ Nations League game in Montenegro moved to Niksic due to Podgorica pitch
Wales’ Nations League game away to Montenegro has been moved to Niksic after UEFA deemed the Podgorica National Stadium pitch unplayable.
The September 9 fixture will take place at the 5,000-capacity City Stadium home of FK Sutjeska, although the attendance may be reduced to satisfy UEFA safety criteria.
The City Stadium has never hosted the Montenegro men’s national team since the nation became independent and joined UEFA and FIFA in 2007, only previously staging international women’s and under-21 matches.
Wales’ Nations League game in Montenegro moved to Niksic due to Podgorica pitch
The match will take place on September 9.
Craig Bellamy brings excitement back to Wales as new era gets off to promising start
Wales began the Craig Bellamy era with a 0-0 Nations League draw against 10-man Turkey in Cardiff.
New boss Bellamy did not get the victory he would have craved at kick-off but it was a positive performance from Wales against opponents who reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 this summer.
Wales‘ task was made slightly easier by the 62nd-minute dismissal of Baris Alper Yilmaz, banished for treading on Neco Williams’ foot after unnecessarily confronting Joe Rodon before the break to merit a first yellow card.
Craig Bellamy brings excitement back to Wales as new era gets off to promising start
Wales 0-0 Turkey: The scoreline doesn’t reflect a the exciting display from the hosts who were the better team in Cardiff
Is Montenegro v Wales on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Nations League fixture
When is Montenegro v Wales?
Montenegro v Wales kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Monday, 9 September at the Gradski Stadion in Niksic, Montenegro.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on S4C, with coverage starting at 7.20pm. Subscribers will also be able to watch via BBC iPlayer online and on the app.
Team news
Wales have no new injury concerns after the draw against Turkey, with Craig Bellamy able to choose from a full squad despite a fractious match in Cardiff.
Skipper Aaron Ramsey returned to the squad after a year marked by injuries, and he can expect to keep a starting place, though he may be moved back into midfield after starting in the number nine position last week.
Sorba Thomas, who scored a disallowed goal in Cardiff, likely did enough to keep his place, with Brennan Johnson likely to keep a starting berth in the absence of Dan James.
The back four should stay the same after an assured performance last time out, while Wilson and Ampadu remain stalwarts in the Welsh midfield.
For Montenegro, head coach Robert Prosinečki has no fresh injury concerns either, and will likely name a similar team to that which lost 2-0 against Iceland last time out.
Former Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic, once the team’s talisman, was demoted to a role from the bench last time out, but came on as a substitute. He could start upfront after an ineffective performance from Nikola Krstović.
Lazio winger Adam Marušić will likely keep his place, as will Preston North End winger Milutin Osmajić.
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