Wales 4-1 Iceland: Craig Bellamy's facet declare spectacular win to safe UEFA Nations League promotion – Eurosport

Liam Cullen was the two-goal hero as Wales got here from behind to beat Iceland 4-1 and safe promotion to the highest tier of the UEFA Nations League.

Coming into the ultimate fixture, Craig Bellamy’s facet knew {that a} win and any dropped factors for Turkey would imply promotion, and guarantee they averted a play-off recreation.

They needed to do it the arduous means, coming from behind, as Andri Gudjohnsen, son of Eidur, put Age Hareide’s guests in entrance on eight minutes with a neat end between Danny Ward’s legs, after the Leicester Metropolis goalkeeper had stored out Orri Oskarsson in excellent trend.

Wales have been stage simply after the half-hour mark as Cullen stole in and glanced a deft header into the far nook from Brennan Johnson’s inswinging cross, and he was on the double on the stroke of half-time, sliding in to transform the rebound after Dan James had been initially denied by Hakon Valdirmarsson following good link-up play with Mark Harris.

Tottenham Hotspur’s in-form Johnson made it three with 65 minutes on the clock as Cullen turned supplier, enjoying a elegant go into the trail of the winger, who completed with aplomb.

Harry Wilson, the Fulham midfielder, carried his sizzling streak of membership type onto the worldwide stage as he notched the hosts’ fourth with a sensational strike from exterior the realm, once more made by Cullen, who confirmed wonderful dedication to make a protracted punt from Ward stick and maintain off Iceland centre-back Sverrir Ingason.

Wales had achieved all they may to safe promotion, and luck was on their facet, with Montenegro beating Turkey within the different recreation to substantiate The Dragons as group winners, and condemn Turkey to the play-offs.

In earlier years, Wales groups would possibly nicely have crumbled underneath the stress of going a purpose down in such an necessary recreation, however not this time, not underneath Bellamy.

The previous Manchester Metropolis and West Ham United ahead is unbeaten in his tenure as Welsh supervisor, and he has instilled a newfound perception on this younger Wales facet, who lack the departed previous heads of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

As a substitute, they’ve their new guard coming to the fore – Johnson, Cullen, Joe Rodon and the remainder – they usually march on into Europe’s high tier, to tackle the continent’s elites as soon as extra.

It’s arduous to not award it to a participant with a hand in all 4 of his facet’s objectives.

The Swansea Metropolis midfielder ran the present in Cardiff, scoring twice and aiding the others, in a whole efficiency from the engine room.

He confirmed his need to interrupt into the field, his willingness to get caught in and do his defensive duties, and likewise his inventive instincts, demonstrated by his threaded via ball for Johnson’s end.

Wales: Ward 7, Williams 6, Cabango 7, Rodon 7, Davies 6, Cullen 9, Sheehan 6, Johnson 7, Wilson 7, D James 6, Harris 7. Subs: Thomas 6, Allen 6, Roberts 6, J James 6.

Iceland: Valdimarsson 6, Fridriksson 6, Ingason 6, Palsson 6, Sampsted 6, Gudmundsson 5, Johannesson 6, Traustason 5, Thorsteinsson 6, Gudjohnsen 6, Oskarsson 6. Subs: Thordarson 6, Willumsson 6, Porhallsson 6, Ellertsson 6.

8’: GOAL! WALES 0-1 ICELAND (GUDJOHNSEN) It is there, and Wales are behind so early! Williams would not take care of a deep cross, as Oskarsson powers a header at purpose from Gudmundsson’s cross. Ward makes an amazing save, getting up, however Gudjohnsen is onto the rebound, and he slots between Ward’s legs to open the scoring.

32’: GOAL! WALES 1-1 ICELAND (CULLEN) Wales are stage, and it is Liam Cullen! The house facet deserve that, they have been excellent within the final ten minutes. Rodon switches play for Johnson, who has Williams in help. The total-back returns it to Johnson, who swings in a left-footed cross, and Cullen glances a header into the far nook! 1-1!

45+1’: GOAL! WALES 2-1 ICELAND (CULLEN) That is the elusive purpose that Wales have been on the lookout for, and it is Cullen who doubles his cash! Dan James does rather well when he is slid in by Harris, and he goes for purpose however is denied by Valdimarsson, however Cullen is there to slip the rebound dwelling!

65’: GOAL! WALES 3-1 ICELAND (JOHNSON) It is three, and it is the person in type, Brennan Johnson! A slick counter assault, harrying the Icelandic midfield, as Cullen claims possession and slides an ideal go in for Johnson, who speeds down the best. He bears down on purpose, and slots it into the far nook with aplomb.

79’: GOAL! WALES 4-1 ICELAND (WILSON) It is 4, and that could be a sensational strike from Wilson! It is route one stuff from the house facet, as Ward goes lengthy in direction of Cullen, who makes the ball stick and has Ingason struggling. Wilson picks up the items and hits it fantastically, with the trouble dipping into the underside nook!