Wales saved their best until last and head into the World Cup playoffs on the back of an emphatic demolition of North Macedonia that guarantees Craig Bellamy’s team a home semi-final next March. Opponents will be rightly apprehensive of visiting Cardiff on this evidence.
Bellamy’s depleted side were superb as they routed the previously unbeaten and previously second-placed team in Group J courtesy of a Harry Wilson hat-trick plus flashes of brilliance from Brennan Johnson and Dan James. Wales knew they had a place in the playoffs courtesy of winning their Nations League group but, stepping up when it mattered most, they ensured the more favourable route towards the next World Cup.
It was a proud night on an individual level for Wilson who returned from suspension to captain his country for the first time. The Fulham playmaker led by scintillating example, although his captaincy underlined the selection shortage that confronted Bellamy with regular options Ben Davies and Aaron Ramsey injured, along with Kieffer Moore and Danny Ward, and Ethan Ampadu suspended.
Late bookings in Liechtenstein for Ampadu and the match-winner Jordan James had deprived Wales of their first choice central midfield. A lengthy absentee list could have proven costly. Bellamy’s brave response, Welsh adventure and the Premier League quality of Johnson, David Brooks, James, Wilson and Neco Williams ensured it barely registered. One punished lapse aside, Wales dominated the first half superbly. A 3-1 interval lead was a merited reward for a positive, assured team performance and Bellamy’s decision to flood his forward line while deploying Joshua Sheehan as a lone holding midfielder.
