Wales Deliver Their Best Performance Under Bellamy
Harry Wilson produced a stunning hat-trick as Wales delivered an attacking showpiece in Cardiff, dismantling North Macedonia to secure home advantage for their World Cup play-off semi-final.
With automatic qualification already unlikely, Wales still had everything to gain — and Craig Bellamy’s side responded with their most complete display since he became head coach.
Wilson opened the scoring from the spot after David Brooks was brought down, and moments later Brooks doubled the lead with a sharp first-time finish from Brennan Johnson’s driven cross.
North Macedonia briefly threatened a comeback when Bojan Miovski capitalised on a defensive lapse, but Johnson restored the two-goal cushion with a fierce, deflected strike from 20 yards.
“This was Wales at their ruthless, expressive best — a glimpse of the future Bellamy wants,” said one analyst from the stands.
In just under 20 minutes, the visitors conceded as many goals as they had across their previous seven qualifiers.
Wilson Shines as Wales Run Riot
The second half brought even greater flair. Johnson and Wilson combined brilliantly, the latter setting up Daniel James with an inventive backheel to complete a stunning team move. It was the clearest sign yet of Bellamy’s ambitious style taking shape.
Wilson then curled home a sublime free-kick from 25 yards before converting another penalty to become the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick since Gareth Bale in 2021.
Cardiff City Stadium erupted again late on when debutant Isaak Davies flicked a corner into the path of Nathan Broadhead, who tapped in Wales’ seventh — the first time they had scored that many in a game since 1978.
“If this is the energy Wales take into the play-offs, belief won’t be a problem,” remarked a stadium commentator.
Wales now look ahead to March knowing they are only two wins away from reaching their third-ever World Cup, having already navigated the play-off route successfully for the 2022 tournament.
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