Iceland football host Wales football in the Nations League this evening in what is a crucial match in Group B4. Craig Bellamy’s side currently sit second in the table but are only one point ahead of tonight’s opponents as they attempt to qualify for promotion to the league above.
Wales have made a strong to life under Craig Bellamy who has introduced a more attacking-minded style of play with players given freedom to get up the pitch. Bellamy’s first match ended in an impressive draw against Turkey which was then followed by a very good performance in a 2-1 away win against Montenegro.
The former Wales captain succeeded Rob Page as manager in July and securing a route to the top flight of the Nations League would be an immediate success.
However, Iceland are no pushovers. They famously beat England at Wembley earlier this year and challenged Turkey before slipping to a 3-1 loss last time out. Freezing temperatures will greet the Welsh squad in Reykjavik and Iceland will be more used to the drastic conditions.
Follow all the Nations League action with our live blog below:
Iceland 0-0 Wales
4 mins: Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s first involvement sees him collect the ball and sweep down the left side of the pitch. He carries it into the box and looks for a pull back but the ball is deflected out for a corner.
The corner is whipped into the middle but Wales clear the danger easily enough.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:49
Iceland 0-0 Wales
3 mins: Craig Bellamy would become the first Wales manager to go unbeaten in his first three games if the Dragons avoid defeat tonight.
Sorba Thomas is playing higher up the pitch in an attacking role so Wales look to be set up in a 4-3-3.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:47
Kick off! Iceland 0-0 Wales
Iceland get the ball rolling and work it to their defence. It’s then booted over to the right wing but bounces out of play for a Wales throw in.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:45
Iceland vs Wales
The teams head out onto the pitch and the national anthems are played. Kick off is up next…
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:43
No Allen in Wales squad
Joe Allen overturned his own international retirement but will not be involved tonight despite returning to the Wales squad for this camp.
Regardless, Joe Rodon says the veteran Swansea City midfielder has had a big impact on the players.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:35
Craig Bellamy urges Aaron Ramsey not to take coaching role while still playing
Ramsey was recently awarded his Uefa A Licence and has been linked with a Cardiff coaching job following the sacking of Erol Bulut and the interim appointment of Omer Riza.
But Wales manager Bellamy believes combining playing and coaching roles do not mix after watching Vincent Kompany undertake both jobs for Anderlecht when he was working at the Belgian club.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:30
Iceland vs Wales talking points
A familiar face to Welsh fans in Iceland ranks is the former Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The 35-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 82 Iceland appearances, spent three years at Swansea between 2014 and 2017 before joining Everton in a deal worth around £45m.
Sigurdsson, now playing club football at Valur in his homeland, is still going strong in an Iceland squad that also features former Burnley midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson and highly-rated Real Sociedad forward Orri Oskarsson.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:25
Iceland vs Wales talking points
The loss of Leeds midfielder Ethan Ampadu for the rest of the Nations League campaign is a huge blow to Wales.
Ampadu, who is not expected to return until January after sustaining a knee ligament injury, has become a real Wales leader and a key player in the midfield engine room.
The 24-year-old’s composure and passing vision are real assets to how Bellamy wants to play, and filling that central void will be pivotal as Wales tackle their October and November double-headers.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:20
Iceland vs Wales talking points
After 20 months in international retirement, Joe Allen is back and ready to represent Wales once again.
The 74-times capped 34-year-old is among Wales’ greatest-ever midfielders and has played at two European Championships and a World Cup.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Swansea veteran but his experience in the dressing room will be invaluable for Bellamy, who believes Allen still has enough left in the tank to make his mark for Wales.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:15
Iceland vs Wales talking points
Every Wales supporter will hope Brennan Johnson can transfer his Tottenham form to the international stage.
Johnson has scored in six successive Spurs games to underline Bellamy’s assertion the winger is worth at least £80m.
The 23-year-old has yet to spark consistently for Wales, scoring three times in 30 appearances, but he has never joined up with the Dragons before in such a rich vein of form.
Mike Jones11 October 2024 19:10