Wales v Iceland LIVE: Nations League updates as Wales win automatic promotion
Wales 4-1 Iceland: A superb second-half performance secures promotion for Bellamy’s side
Wales beat Iceland 4-1 in Cardiff on Tuesday night to finish top of Nations League Group B4 and gain automatic promotion.
The hosts started slowly and went behind early on after Andri Gudjohnsen turned in the rebound from Oskarsson’s header.
But Craig Bellamy’s side eventually settled and managed to fight back, with Brennan Johnson’s cross the catalyst as it was turned in by the head of Liam Cullen at the far post.
From there, Wales were in the ascendancy, and despite riding their luck at times, the dominance paid off as a lightning-quick counter was finished off by Cullen, who tapped in after Dan James’ shot was saved.
The second half started positively for the home side, and though both sides created chances, it was Wales who struck again after Johnson finished off another quick counter.
Soon after, news broke that Turkey were 3-1 down to Montenegro, and it only got better from there, with Harry Wilson latching onto a loose ball and rifling a long-range effort in to seal a memorable night in the capital.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, news and reaction below:
Wales 3-1 Iceland
73 mins
Wales make a change as James comes off for Sorba Thomas.
Iceland bring off Sampsted and Thorsteinsson for Willumsson and Thorhallsson.
Wales 3-1 Iceland
72 mins
Thorsteinsson was also booked there, presumably for dissent, as was Brennan Johnson.
Wales 3-1 Iceland
70 mins
Some time after the goal, Valgeir Fridriksson was also booked for complaining.
Jóhannesson swings in a cross but it’s poor, and easily cleared. Wales counter but it’s ended abruptly as Traustason scythes down Wilson very late, and the Iceland midfielder is booked.
Wales 3-1 Iceland
68 mins
Dan James is the next player in the book after a late challenge.
Johnson wriggles through a couple of challenges and has an opening to shoot, but it’s too tame.
GOAL! Wales 3-1 Iceland
65 mins
GOAL! Will that seal it for Wales?
It’s another good counter-attack, with Cullen doing well to win it cleanly near halfway. The space has opened up and Johnson is 1-v-1 with the defender; Cullen threads it through the gap and Johnson is clean through, and he drives towards goal before sliding a low finish past the ‘keeper and into the far corner.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
65 mins
Joe Allen comes on for Wales, replacing Mark Harris.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
64 mins
Great play from Wales as their press forces the Iceland ‘keeper into booting it long. They win it back in midfield, with Cullen shielding well, before it’s worked wide to Williams, who fizzes a cross to close to Valdimarsson.
Wales 2-1 Iceland
62 mins
End-to-end now. Wales go clean through first as Wilson finds himself clear from halfway, but he’s not got the pace and he’s forced into shooting from distance, right at the ‘keeper.
Iceland go down the other end and they work it well to Ellertsson, who lays off a great pass into the path of Thorsteinsson (via a deflection) but the winger fires it well over!
Wales 2-1 Iceland
60 mins
CLOSE! How hasn’t this gone in!?
Iceland come forward and Gudjohnsen takes down the long ball before squeezing in a cross to Thorsteinsson at the near post. He should really score but he doesn’t get clean contact, and it comes off the defender almost on the line.
Iceland want a penalty for handball, but it’s waved away.
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