WINNING START FOR CYMRU IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Wales snatched a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan in the first game of their 2026 World Cup

qualifiers in the Welsh capital.

A nail-biting game for the Red Wall as they sat under a clear but cold night sky at Cardiff

city stadium. Following a powerful rendition of the Welsh National Anthem it was clear

Wales had set the tone for the night.

Kazakhstan was not a team to be underestimated with Maxim Samorodov who tried to

strike lucky in the first three minutes. The home side fans responded with the infamous

‘WAAALES’ chant echoing through the stadium.

The players gave the fans just what they wanted. Daniel James, the Leeds player, struck the

ball following a quick cross from Connor Roberts and a strategic pass from David Brooks.

The stands erupted with Kazakhstan fans in despair. The first goal on the board and it went

Cymru’s way.

The next twenty minutes saw Wales’ dominance. This team was out to get more points tonight.

The crowd continuous chants echoed throughout the stadium, with Spurs’ Brenan

Johnson having a shot but missing wide and James was hoping to put a second to his name.

Thirty minutes in and a gasp of panic struck the stadium, a penalty to Kazakastahn. Islam Chesnokov powered the ball just outside the box, straight into the strong Welsh defence and Connor Roberts' left hand was caught in collateral damage.

VAR was checked and numerous fans shouted in disbelief, but the referee blew his whistle. The Penalty was given.

Askhat Tagybergen, the away side captain, took his shot. Everybody stayed silent. A poor shot, Karl Darlow dived right giving a glimmer of hope to the Welsh fans as he grazed the ball before it went through the net for Kazakhstan to equalise.

The next 15 minutes involved pure determination from the Welsh side. On attack the home

fans were eager to get that lead, Johnson flew down the pitch, then Roberts had the ball

with a swift pass out to Josh Sheehan who was fouled. You could sense the excitement in

the stadium as this free kick was in a fantastic place.

Before the kick is taken the referee calls for a possible Red Card on Samorodov. This was

for his tackle with Roberts where he stuck his leg in his knee. Fans could not believe it.

After a long wait, the nerves were calmed for the away side, it was a yellow this time.

A dominant first half for Wales still saw a 1-1 score at half-time.

The header that Ben Davies made the crowd go wild as he guided the ball into the back of

the net. Kazakhstan goalkeeper, Aleksandr Zarutskiy, looked lost and misread causing

Cymru to take an early second half lead.

Wales fans made some passionate renditions of the national anthem and ‘Yma o Hyd’ to

push the men on to claim their first World Cup qualifier victory of 2025.

An hour in and confidence is glowing off the players, Cardiff were preparing for a Saturday night celebration but it's not over yet.

Kazakhstan tried to fight back with Chesnokov who took a shot but went far wide. The away

fans did not seem impressed. Samorodov fancied a goal as well but a deflection from

David Brookes sent it into the safe hands of the Welsh keeper.

It was clear the fans wanted another goal on board to get this game secured. The night was

getting colder and mistier but that didn’t stop the energy of the fans within the Cardiff City

Stadium.

Liam Cullen took a free kick in the 68th minute and passed to Neco Williams. The 23-year-old liked his chances but aimed low and the goalkeeper punched the ball away from their danger zone.

Karl Darlow seems to be the man of the hour as he saved another attempt by Kazakhstan, clearly eager to settle the score.

Heading towards the end of the game, fans desperately wanted the referee to blow, in the 90th minute, it's a goal for Wales. From Rabbi Montondo his first international goal, under the floodlights with over 32,000 fans in the Welsh capital, what more could he want in his hometown.

Craig Bellamy’s impressive stint as manager continues as the full-time whistle is blown

shortly after. You could hear fans celebrating throughout the stadium and Cardiff. They

face North Macedonia on Tuesday can they continue a winning streak?