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:
GOAL! Wales 2-1 Iceland
47 mins
GOAL!
A great counter-attacking goal for the hosts!
Wilson slides in to intercept near halfway and Wales are away, with a man more too. Harris carries and slides in a great pass to James, whose shot is saved well, but it bounces into the path of Cullen, who simply has to tap into an open net!
Wales 1-1 Iceland
45 mins
Montenegro have gone 2-1 up against Turkey, so if Wales can get a win here, they could get promoted tonight (if it stays that way in the other game too).
The home side are offering more in attack now, with Johnson beating his man before laying it off to Wilson, who skips past a challenge and drives a shot right at Valdimarsson.
Wales 1-1 Iceland
43 mins
Dan James does well to latch onto a loose ball near the byline, but his cross is too high and it’s dealt with easily.
Wales 1-1 Iceland
40 mins
It just hasn’t clicked down the left flank for Wales yet, though they’re trying to get Dan James more involved.
Iceland mount another promising attack though, with thorsteinsson clipping in a great cross that’s headed down by Jóhannesson. It’s right into the path of Gudjohnsen, but once again he scuffs his effort wide on the half-volley.
At the other end, Wales break and there’s a four-v-three. It’s laid off to Johnson, who can only direct his effort too close to the ‘keeper.
Wales 1-1 Iceland
37 mins
CLOSE! It’s Iceland with all the possession now, and they come close to going ahead again as Thorsteinsson’s cross is deflected over Ward. It’s looping in at the far corner, but Cabango is there to clear off the line!
Wales 1-1 Iceland
35 mins
Not great defending from Wales but they get away with it, as Iceland’s free-kick finds Gudjohnsen unmarked around 12 yards out, but he can’t get clean contact on the strike and drags it wide.
GOAL! Wales 1-1 Iceland
32 mins
GOAL! The hosts are level!
Simple stuff but plenty of quality from Wales, as Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson combine to get forward. Wiliams lays it back off to the Spurs man, who swings in a great diagonal cross that Cullen heads low past the ‘keeper!
Wales 0-1 Iceland
30 mins
Davies puts in another poor pass and it almost creates a great counter-attack for Iceland, but Rodon steps in brilliantly to win it back.
Wales are enjoying far more possession than the visitors now, but they still can’t find the gaps in the Iceland defence, as Sampsted is the first player to be booked after dragging down Dan James.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
28 mins
Good play from Johnson as he opts to just and Fridriksson. He beats him and puts in a cross, but it’s deflected away from danger. Wales need more of that.
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