Wales have won their group in the Nations League to earn promotion to League A next time around as Türkiye had the rug pulled from underneath them in Montenegro. The unlikely became the likely, and the saying ‘Let us see what happens at the end’ never more a reality. Better seedlings, games and a whole lot more is the immediate future for Wales.

And boy did they deserve it.

By half time in this fixture Wales were top of the group taking a 2-1 lead over Iceland and with Montenegro beating Türkiye by the same score the incredible looked likely. Oh for the game to be stopped now. The issue for Wales at the start was they just couldn’t get going. Iceland looked stronger trying to expose the Swans Ben Cabango who had teamed up with ex team mate Joe Rodon. It didn’t happen bar one offside pass which the second official noticed.

Guðjohnsen put Iceland ahead on seven minutes with the Wales defence in disarray. A header which Danny Ward saved well fell to Guðjohnsen who spun and aimed a low shot which disappointingly went through Ward’s legs. At that point the home side were down in third place facing a League B/C play off. As the half wore on there were signs of a revival, the pace out on the flanks that Wales possessed was pressurising the Icelandic side. Brennan Johnson on the right and Dan James on the left beginning to cause problems. With their pace and trickery exposing the visitors as crossed balls began to cause some serious problems.

On twenty five minutes, Óskarsson left the field injured, a huge blow for the visitors.

Hard work in midfield by Josh Sheehan and Harry Wilson was also part of the reason Wales were looking a lot better. On thirty two minutes Johnson put in another cross from the right which Mark Harris couldn’t reach but Swansea City’s Liam Cullen managed to leave his defender ball watching as he flicked his header into the Iceland net. That was 1-1. More chances came, Johnson fired a rasping shot which was well saved as two minutes of injury time was announced. A wonderful sliding tackle in midfield put Mark Harris away, he passed out left to Dan James who hit a fierce shot which was saved. However, no need to panic that man Liam Cullen (below) was there again to slide home his and Wales second goal of the game.

He looked delighted.

With the game brought to an end shortly after that Wales walked down the tunnel with a 2-1 lead and top of the group.

The second half started with Iceland having more of the ball, Wales had made some effort to add to their lead but ball control was poor. It was now just a case of finding their feet and not exposing themselves to too many crazy moments. They did come though at both ends with Ben Davies having his header tipped over the bar. It was now end to end as we approached sixty minutes. Iceland pressed again as a cross was cleared by Rodon when it looked like it was going in. Then Harry Wilson broke clear and instead of crossing he chose to shoot. Had he laid the ball off to his right there were two red shirts in the area.

This was so frantic you couldn't take your eyes off it.

We saw Joe Allen on for Mark Harris on sixty four minutes. His mischief in midfield immediately led to Brennan Johnson breaking clear and firing home number three of the evening for Wales. This was so impressive from the home side. They were running for everything, fighting for every ball and again as in the first half disruption in midfield led to another goal. On seventy two minutes Sorba Thomas replaced Dan James who had given his all for the shirt.

It may well have been the icing on the cake but when Harry Wilson gets the ball just outside the area the opposition have to take note. On seventy nine minutes Liam Cullen did some superb work and was brought down in the Iceland half. The referee waved play on as Harry Wilson raced forwards. His measured shot from outside of the area nestled into the back of the Iceland net.

From there on it was a cake walk, Connor Roberts and Jordan James came on for Brennan Johnson and Josh Sheehan, and now it was just a matter of play the game out. Manager Craig Bellamy was right, just win the game. Wales did that and with enough goals to spare even if Türkiye drew their game in Montenegro. (Goals against) Krstović the hero in Montenegro with a hatrick, and so many more on home turf for Wales.

Wales have qualified for League A, and not only that they have gone through all six games in this competition undefeated and winners of their group. What else could you ask for ?

Have a look below, and pour yourself a tipple of what you fancy.

⚽️ Wales: Ward 6 Williams 6 Cabango 6 Rodon 8 Davies (c) 7 D.James 7 (Thomas 73) 6 Cullen 8 Sheehan 7 (Roberts 88) 6 Wilson 8 Johnson 7 (J.James 88) 6 Harris 6 (Allen 65) 7

Subs: Darlow, King, Mepham, Norrington-Davies, Koumas, Colwill, Dasilva

⚽️ Iceland: Valdimarsson; Fridriksson, Palsson, Ingason, Sampsted (Thorhallsson 74); Johannesson, Trautason, Thorsteinsson (Willumsson 74); Gudmundsson (c) (Thordarson 46), Oskarsson (Ellertsson 25), Gudjonsen

Subs: Olafsson, Petersson, Sigurgeirsson, Thorhallsson, W.Willumsson, Magnusson, J.Magnusson, Baldursson

More to follow, click back.

Photograph REUTERS, UP1EKBJ1L77SS.

Swansea City Polls