Wales play second game under Craig Bellamy after encouraging draw against Turkey last Friday
New head coach Bellamy hailed Wales as "outstanding" in stalemate with Turkey, but makes five changes for Montenegro
Karl Darlow makes Wales debut, while Ollie Cooper and Lewis Koumas start
Montenegro began Nations League campaign with 2-0 defeat in Iceland, their third straight loss
Wales win away for only the second time in 10 attempts
Wales had gone four games without a goal for the first time in 12 years
Kieffer Moore puts Wales ahead inside first minute before Harry Wilson doubles lead in third minute with stunning long-range strike
Former Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic almost replies in sensational fashion before break but shot from near halfway line hits the bar
Montenegro pull second-half goal back through Driton Camaj but Wales hang on to secure first win of Bellamy era
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
That's all from us on the night where Craig Bellamy earned his first win as Wales head coach.
Two quick goals, another front-footed performance and three points.
A lot to like if you are a Wales fan, with injury to Connor Roberts the only issue on a positive night in torrid conditions.
Thank you for following along with us this evening.
Nos da.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Kath Morgan
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Cymru
The performance is more important for me with building a new structure under Craig Bellamy.
The players have to buy in to what he wants. Are they doing that? Yes.
Did we miss out on three points on Friday? Yes, but if you told me before the window that we'd have four points from two games, I'd have been happy.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales
Just because we had such a good result on Friday night, it doesn't mean to say that right this is it, the football is going to be absolutely superb from here on in.
You've got to adapt, you've got to shape shift and change things - both pre-game and in a game.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Iwan Roberts
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Cymru
I don't think there's a lot to separate Danny Ward and Karl Darlow.
Darlow has gone to Leeds and knows he'll be second choice behind Illan Meslier. Ward is second choice at Leicester. Neither is going to get much football before the next international window.
I do expect Ward to play in the League Cup, but that's the problem Craig Bellamy has going into Iceland.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Kath Morgan
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Cymru
I thought after the first pass, Karl Darlow cleared the ball when he needed and I felt a lot more confident with our play from the back.
Wales never make it easy for themselves though. The referee wasn't on our side and the one worry for me is that the yellow cards will come back and affect us in November.
For the performance, with so many changes, the contribution from the squad has been heroic under the conditions. Montenegro were tough - the standard of their crosses was high - therefore the players will be happy to come off the pitch with three points.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales
There are so many different factors to the game of football, it is hard to say if that is the worst we are ever going to play [as Bellamy did after Turkey].
Mother nature hasn't allowed us to play the way you want. These things all play a part.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Jayne Ludlow
Former Wales manager on BBC Radio Wales
There were errors at times but we came away with a 2-1 win so you can't criticise them.
At the end of the day we are away from home in really poor conditions having to deal with a challenging pitch. I am sure there will be things the coaching team will reflect on and I think the team and the players can do better.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Image source, Getty ImagesWales striker Kieffer Moore told S4C: "Really happy. It was tough, gruelling conditions - you can tell by how wet I am. But we're happy with the three points and we go from there.
"We knew we had to lay out a marker straight away and when a ball falls that nicely, you have to put it away.
"It's been a lot of information for all of us but we're trying to take it in and play Craig Bellamy's style of football and it's coming along really well. We're really enjoying it."
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales
There were a few scares, that crossbar from halfway across the pitch, and there were a few good balls across the face of the box.
Wales just had a better standard of play all round.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Iwan Roberts
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Cymru
Montenegro had chances in the first half and Craig Bellamy will be over the moon.
It's been a difficult night, in difficult conditions, on a dismal pitch, in a stadium which isn't good enough to play international football. Those are all excuses.
The players have come through a different evening despite Montenegro being on a dismal run of form. Had Kieffer Moore scored the third goal the game would have been over. Overall it's been a good international break.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales
The pitch was playing a huge part, but the only thing that surprised me tonight was how quickly those two goals came for Wales.
I fully expected us to win the game, it was just I expected Wales to get goals later on in the game - maybe a second-half winner.
FT: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Stick with us and we will bring you some reaction.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
That's it!
Craig Bellamy has his first win as Wales boss despite a fright in the second half.
Three points for Wales in difficult conditions.
Wales are singing in the rain.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Ben Davies cuts out a cross.
Corner.
Added time in added time.
Goalkeeper up.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Montenegro chuck a free-kick into the penalty area but Jordan James heads clear.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Wales win a corner. The ball is where they want it.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Wales are pinned in until Sorba Thomas wins another cheap free-kick.
Crazy from Montenegro to gift Wales respite.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Craig Bellamy finally sees sense and puts a proper coat on.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
We will have five minutes of time added on, as Montenegro try a shot from fully 40 yards.
Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Into the final minute of normal time.
Should tell you it is Turkey 3-1 Iceland in the other game in this group.
Wales had gone four games without scoring before facing Montenegro
Craig Bellamy earned his first win as Wales head coach in a frenetic Nations League contest with Montenegro played in atrocious conditions in rain-lashed Niksic.
Kieffer Moore put the visitors ahead after just 37 seconds with an instinctive finish, before Harry Wilson doubled their lead with a fabulous 25-yard strike just two minutes later.
As the constant downpour wreaked havoc with the pitch, the game threatened to descend into farce at times, but the chaos also added to the entertainment of a breathless encounter with chances at both ends.
Montenegro captain Stevan Jovetic hit the bar with an outlandish effort from his own half, while Driton Camaj was denied by Ben Davies’ block on the line.
Moore missed a golden opportunity to score Wales’ third in the second half as he blazed over from close range and, after Vladimir Jovovic hit the post for Montenegro, the home side finally got the goal they deserved when Camaj tapped in after 73 minutes.
Wales were far from convincing in the closing stages but, as both teams tired and the quality of the match deteriorated like the pitch, Bellamy’s side were able to cling on for victory.
The result gives Wales four points from their opening two matches in Group B4, level on points with Turkey at the top.
Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore gave Wales the perfect start in Montenegro
In Bellamy’s first game at home to Turkey on Friday, Wales had thrilled with their adventurous, aggressive new playing style even as they were held to a goalless draw by the 10-man Euro 2024 quarter-finalists.
Wales were equally impressive in possession – tactically fluid and inventive in attack – as they were without the ball, pressing their opponents relentlessly.
The only thing missing was a goal, but it took only 37 seconds for Wales to correct that in Niksic.
There was an element of fortune as an attempted clearance inside the Montenegrin penalty area bounced off Wilson and into the path of Moore, who finished decisively with a low strike off the post.
No luck was involved in the second goal, as Wilson added to his personal collection of spectacular strikes with a 25-yard beauty that sailed into the top corner.
It was just as well Wales scored their goals so early in the game because, as torrential rain soaked the City Stadium in Niksic, playing conditions became extremely difficult, with players struggling to stay on their feet as the pitch cut up badly.
It made for an enjoyably frantic spectacle, a rapid tempo and two open, attacking teams pouring forward at every opportunity.
Jovetic almost put Montenegro back in contention with a wonder goal, spotting Wales debutant Karl Darlow off his line and launching a stunning shot from his own half which hit the top of the bar.
Darlow then thwarted the Montenegrin all-time leading scorer with a sprawling save, and Davies was on hand to stop Camaj’s rebound with a sliding block.
The second half was calmer and chances were a little harder to come by, Stefan Mugosa heading wide for the home side from a promising position.
Despite being two goals ahead, Wales were not in total control and they missed a golden opportunity to put the result beyond doubt.
A flowing move involving Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson ended with Davies squaring the ball for Moore, whose sliding effort in front of an open goal went over the bar.
Buoyed by their reprieve, Montenegro applied the pressure and, four minutes after Jovovic’s 20-yard shot hit the post, they eventually got their goal as Nikola Krstovic’s inviting low cross was tapped in by Camaj.
That set up an awkward final 17 minutes for Wales to navigate and, although there were some nervous moments, they defended solidly enough to repel Montenegro’s late attempts to salvage a draw.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | Israel | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | Azerbaijan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| 4 | Estonia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | Kosovo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 3 | Cyprus | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Lithuania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belarus | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
|
| 2 | Bulgaria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | Luxembourg | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armenia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | Faroe Islands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 4 | Latvia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Marino | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 2 | Gibraltar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moldova | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 2 | Andorra | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 3 | Malta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | Montenegro | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
Manager: Robert Prosinecki
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Craig Bellamy
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Robert Prosinecki
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Craig Bellamy
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
UEFA Nations League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
This will be the third time Montenegro have hosted Wales with the Brave Falcons winning the previous two: 2-1 in August 2009 and 1-0 in September 2010.
Wales will meet Montenegro for the first time since September 2011, a 2-1 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Montenegro have won their last two competitive home internationals and are aiming to win three such games in a row for only the second time, after also doing so in October 2010 when the second of those wins came against Wales.
Wales have won just one of their last nine away matches in all competitions (D3 L5) – the Dragons last recorded just one away win over a 10 game period back in 1991 under Terry Yorath.
Montenegro have lost their last three matches in a row, losing to Belgium, Georgia and Iceland. They haven’t had a worse run of defeats since losing four consecutively between October 2015 and March 2016.
Wales have gone four consecutive internationals without a goal for the first time since September 2012. They haven’t had five games in a row without a goal since between March and September 2005.
Having won each of their first three games against home nations (Wales, England, Scotland & Northern Ireland), Montenegro have since failed to win any of their last seven against such opposition (D3 L4), losing each of the last three.
Aaron Ramsey had five shots in his first game under new Wales boss Craig Bellamy against Türkiye, more than he managed in any appearance under either Ryan Giggs or Rob Page; it was his most in a Wales game since September 2017 vs Moldova (10 under manager Chris Coleman).
