Wales brush aside Liechtenstein to maintain Craig Bellamy's unbeaten reign

The Guardian

2 days ago

The unbeaten reign of Craig Bellamy continued as his Wales side propelled themselves to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a thumping win. Bellamy was appointed head coach in July 2024 and the national side have drawn four and won five under him.
Wales leapfrogged North Macedonia, who drew 1-1 to Belgium on Friday. The Red Devils are only just getting their qualifiers under way because they were involved in Nations League playoffs in March.
Belgium are the favourites to top the group with the prize for doing so automatic qualification. But Wales's great run has put them in a good position to challenge Domenico Tedesco's Belgium, who they play on Monday and have a history of upsetting with that famous 3-1 win in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
Wales were firmly focused on the opposition in front of them and on Friday Liechtenstein made their presence known. While the visiting fans were heavily outnumbered, they were the ones in the car park pre-match who could be heard singing songs and shouting chants. They made the trip to see if their side could end a 35-game losing streak, which has lasted five years.
The two countries have met three times before with Wales victorious on all three occasions and Liechtenstein were winless in their past 43 World Cup qualifiers. The hosts were undoubtedly huge favourites and under cloudy conditions they ensured Liechtenstein's wait for a win continued.
Whistling, boos and chants of 'Wales' drowned out Liechtenstein's national anthem before the spine-tingling Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau began. The music was cut to allow the Wales supporters to belt out the anthem. They played their part and it was the players turn to perform.
Harry Wilson, who returned after missing the March qualifiers with injury, took an early free-kick and went for goal but his attempt was fired wide. Wales kept up the pressure, particularly through the attacking spark of Sorba Thomas, but the visitors soaked it up.
While it was all Wales in the early stages, it was not all good news for the hosts as they were forced into an early change with Neco Williams off with injury. He needed a stretcher with a suspected hamstring problem and was shaking his head as he was wheeled along the touchline.
Kieffer Moore and Ben Davies had close chances but Brennan Johnson, the Spurs hero from the Europa League final, came closest with a deft touch.
Benjamin Büchel, who has won Liechtenstein's player of the year three seasons in a row, made an incredible save. Ethan Ampadu, also returning to the side, was the next to take a shot with a bicycle kick almost beating Büchel but the Vaduz keeper nudged it over the bar.
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Liechtenstein had been well-drilled in defence but the simplest of set pieces unpicked the deadlock. A good delivery from Thomas allowed Joe Rodon to head home and so the half-time score stood at 1-0.
Wales continued with their relentless attack but the visitors reverted to a brick wall with chances continually repelled. That was until Wilson headed an excellent shot, his fifth goal in seven games under Bellamy. The Fulham forward is the top scorer under the head coach.
Moore then got his goal with a tap in before a ripple of applause came over the crowd in the 68th minute in memory of The Alarm's Mike Peters, who sang Wales's Euro 2020 anthem. He was an avid supporter of the team who died in April. The 68th minute was chosen in honour of The Alarm hit 68 Guns.
The pace of the game slowed but the result was already sewn up with it equalling the best win under Bellamy after a 4-1 victory against Iceland in the Nations League in November.
Wales face their toughest test against Belgium in a few day's time and they will have to make history if they want to come away with maximum points as they have never won a match in Belgium.