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 0-1 Iceland
25 mins
There’s a break in play as it seems Oskarsson is injured. He’s forced off, and Ellertsson comes on in his place. A boost for Wales, for sure.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
23 mins
Johnson is the latest to try and run at the Iceland defence, and he squares a layoff to Cullen, but the Swansea man can only drive a shot from distance straight at Valdimarsson.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
21 mins
Wales are certainly keeping the ball better now, but too much of their play has been pedestrian so far. Sheehan tries to inject some pace into it with a great through ball that finds James, but the latter’s cross is put behind for a corner.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
19 mins
Wilson’s free-kick is headed behind for a corner, and that set-piece comes to nothing after Davies loses the ball on the wing.
Not clicking for the home side at the moment.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
17 mins
Sheehan and Oskarsson are involved in a scuffle so play it stopped for a minute or so as they both get a talking to.
Groans around the stadium as Davies turns back rather than playing it forward, though Wales do eventually win a free-kick near the edge of the box after a foul from Gudmundsson.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
15 mins
Wales are slowly starting to look a bit more comfortable here, though there haven’t been any chances for the home side.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
13 mins
It briefly looks as though Oskarsson is clean through again, though Rodon does well to recover and the Icelandic striker was offside anyway.
Moments later, Johnson finds himself 1-v-1 but he scuffs his effort and the ‘keeper saves, though the Spurs man was also offside.
Wales 0-1 Iceland
10 mins
Iceland come forward again, led by Thorsteinsson, but Wales recover in time before wasting a counter-attacking chance of their own.
GOAL! Wales 0-1 Iceland
7 mins
GOAL! The visitors are ahead!
It comes from a nice bit of attacking play too, as Gudmundsson swings in a great ball and Oskarsson powers a header too close to Ward, who saves well. From the rebound, it bounces out to Gudjohnsen, who hits a lot shot on the swivel that goes through Ward’s legs!
Wales 0-0 Iceland
6 mins
Half a chance as Oskarsson brings down the long ball well and squares it off to Johannesson, whose high shot is tipped over by Ward. Wales manage to clear the corner, but Iceland stay in possession.
It’s a good press from Wales though, forcing the visitors all the way back to the ‘keeper before winning it back from the long ball.
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