KEIR RADNEDGE in CARDIFF: Coach Craig Bellamy wants Wales to be “one of the top national teams” and his enthusiastic ambition was fulfilled as his team roared back from a goal down to demolish Iceland 4-1 at Cardiff City. Not only that but Turkey’s simultaneous 3-1 defeat in Montenegro meant Wales leapfrogged them to the top of the League B Group 4 table to secure promotion.

Bellamy can await next month’s World Cup draw celebrating not only all of this but a six-match unbeaten run since succeeding Rob Page.

He will be well aware, however, that Wales enjoyed the good fortune of poor Iceland finishing before two goals from man-of-the-match Liam Cullen and further strikes from Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson turned up a trumph. Iceland’s self-inflicted punishment was third place in the table and a relegation playoff next March.

Injuries had complicated Wales’ task. Midfielders Ethan Ampadu, Aaron Ramsey and Ollie Cooper were all ruled out before Bellamy named his squad and then Kieffer Moore, Wes Burns, Nathan Broadhead, Owen Beck and Luke Harris all withdrew. At least central defender Joe Rodon was fit to make his 50th appearance and anchor a defence which came through despite living dangerously at times.

Five years ago to the day Wales had defeated Hungary 2-0 to reach the finals of Euro 2020 but the prospects of a further celebration hung in the balance after Iceland seized an early lead.

Wales keeper Danny Ward had already saved well from Isak Johannesson before being embarrassed as the visitors went ahead. Skipper Johann Gudmundsson crossed from the left, Ward did well to save Orri Oskarsson’s close-range header but the ball fell loose to Andri Gudjohnsen – son of Eidur – who shot through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Wales pulled themselves together but, even so, they had barely managed a threat before equalising just after the halfhour. Johnson curled in a left-footed cross from the right and Cullen sneaked ahead of Alfons Sampsead to glance-headed a first goal for his country.

The Welsh struggled to hold on before snatching the lead in the first minute of stoppage time. Iceland conceded possession lazily and, after Josh Sheehan’s initial shot was parried by keeper Hakon Valdimarsson, Cullen threw himself forward for his second goal of the night.

Fading Turkey

Wales started the second half already top of the group since Turkey were 2-1 down in Montenegro. That they maintained their advantage owed much to Iceland’s continued poor finishing with Gudjohnsen and Thorsteinsson both wasteful.

Iceland further proved their own worst enemies in the 64th minute by conceding possession in midfield so Cullen could send Johnson clear to shoot Wales’ third. The Icelanders now started to lose shape, temper and discipline, thus opening up generously to provide Wilson with time and space to crack a fourth.

Wales’ rugby team may be in crisis but the football team are going from strength to strength.

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