Wales 4-1 Iceland – Craig Bellamy’s side claim impressive win to secure UEFA Nations League promotion

Liam Cullen was the two-goal hero as Wales came from behind to beat Iceland 4-1 and secure promotion to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League.

Coming into the final fixture, Craig Bellamy’s side knew that a win and any dropped points for Turkey would promote his side side, and allow them to avoid a play-off game.

They had to do it the hard way, coming from behind, as Andri Gudjohnsen, son of Eidur, put Age Hareide’s visitors in front on eight minutes with a neat finish between Danny Ward’s legs, after the Leicester City goalkeeper had kept out Orri Oskarsson in superb fashion.

Wales were level just after the half-hour mark as Cullen stole in and glanced a deft header into the far corner from Brennan Johnson’s inswinging cross, and he was at the double on the stroke of half-time, sliding in to convert the rebound after Dan James had been initially denied by Rafin Valdirmarsson following good link-up play by Mark Harris.

Tottenham Hotspur’s in-form Johnson made it three with 65 minutes on the watch as Cullen turned provider, producing a sublime pass into the path of the winger, who finished with aplomb.

Harry Wilson, the Fulham midfielder, carried his hot streak of club form onto the international stage as he notched the hosts’ fourth with a sensational strike from outside the area, again made by Cullen, who showed excellent determination to make a long punt from Ward stick and hold off Iceland centre-back Sverrir Ingason.

Wales had done all they could to secure promotion, and luck was on their side, with Montenegro beating Turkey in the other game to confirm The Dragons as group winners, and condemn Turkey to the play-offs.