Wales collect hard-fought three points in Kazakhstan

-

Kazakhstan 0-1 Wales

Wales were made to work hard in Kazakhstan, clinging to a slender victory that takes them to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

Author | Stephen Chadwick

Stadium | Astana Arena

Super News Football | World Cup Qualifying | Wales fans celebrate in Kazakhstan
Wales fans and players celebrate at full-time

Kieffer Moore, winning his 50th cap, opened the scoring midway through the first half, sliding in after Liam Cullen’s header from a Harry Wilson free-kick had been parried. The visitors controlled the early stages but soon lost their rhythm, and Kazakhstan, ranked 114th in the world, almost equalised when Galymzhan Kenzhebek’s curling strike from distance was pushed on to the bar by Karl Darlow.

The atmosphere inside the Astana Arena lifted as the hosts grew in belief. Dastan Satpayev, the 17-year-old striker set to join Chelsea next year, tested Darlow again as Craig Bellamy’s side came under sustained pressure. 

READ MORE | World Cup 2026 Qualifying news and stories

Wales did create chances to settle the contest, yet Kazakhstan pressed forward with increasing determination and came within inches of levelling when Serikzhan Muzhikov struck the bar with a stoppage-time free-kick.

The win lifts Wales to the summit of Group J, though their stay there may be brief with North Macedonia expected to reclaim top spot when they face Liechtenstein in Skopje on Tuesday.

A massive three points | Wales fans respond to the side's performance

Super News Football | World Cup Qualifying | Kazakhstan v Wales
Wales press for a goal

Ashleigh, a Wales fan who watched the match on TV, added: “If we qualify, nobody will look back and say, do you remember when we did not defend particularly well against Kazakhstan? It will not matter. There are details to analyse, of course, but the important thing is we have the three points and we can move forward.”

William, another fan, had a similar view on the win and performance: “We have often said in international football that you expect to go and sweep aside a team like Kazakhstan, but it rarely works out that way. The important thing is we have the win, and the job is done. If we qualify, nobody will look back and remember this performance.”

Praise for Dylan Lawlor

Joseph, a Wales fan, was full of praise for Lawlor’s performance. He said: “The way Dylan Lawlor carried himself on the pitch made it seem as though he had been part of the side for years. His positioning at the back was excellent and he was deservedly named player of the match.”

Location: Turan Ave 48, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan

Popular posts from this blog

Braga stun Celtic after VAR controversy

-
Image
Celtic 2 - 0 Braga Celtic suffered further European disappointment as goals in each half and a controversial disallowed equaliser earned Braga victory in what was a chaotic encounter. Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Celtic Park Kick-off Kasper Schmeichel had an error-strewn game in goal and failed to keep out Ricardo Horta 's early long-range effort, which stunned the Celtic Park crowd into silence. The Dane then did well to keep out a late shot but was helpless when the ball bounced off Gabri Martinez in a botched clearance and rebounded into the net to seal all the points. After their Champions League qualification failure against Kairat Almaty , and an opening Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade , this continued Celtic's disappointing start to their European campaign. In fact, so sharp has been the drop-off since last season, that Brendan Rodgers ' side may struggle to qualify for the latter stages of the Europa League unless they can find their way again, and q...
Read more

Mourinho’s return to England ends in defeat

-
Image
Chelsea 1 - 0 Benfica  A much-needed win for Chelsea as they picked up their first points of their Champions League campaign. Author |  Lauren W Stadium | Stamford Bridge  View from the stands José Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in disappointment as Chelsea edged past his new club Benfica with a narrow Champions League win sealed by Richard Rios ’ first-half own goal.  The affection from the home crowd was evident, with Mourinho serenaded throughout and responding with waves to both ends of the ground, but the evening turned on a moment of misfortune when the Colombian midfielder diverted Alejandro Garnacho ’s driven cross beyond his own goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin . Chelsea, however, did little to convince despite the victory. Garnacho spurned chances on his second start and teenage substitute Estevão Willian forced only a late save from Trubin, while João Pedro ’s stoppage-time dismissal for a second booking made it three red cards in four matches ...
Read more

Live commentary recap | Latvia v England

-
Image
Latvia v England live commentary Three points here and England will have qualified for the 2026 World Cup Author |  Lauren W This will be the place for live commentary from England's trip to Latvia. Full-time  England have qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare. Against limited opposition granted but that was a superb performance from The Three Lions. 85 minutes | Eze makes it five! He scored against Latvia in March, and Eberechi Eze adds another against them tonight. A precise low finish followed after Jarrod Bowen did well to win possession on the halfway line. The perfect finishing touch. 74 minutes | “A thoroughly professional display from Thomas Tuchel’s side...” Gez wanted to travel to Latvia for the match but had to settle for watching on TV. He has been impressed with the performance: “Just the 19 efforts on goal for England, with 41 touches inside Latvia’s penalty area. A thoroughly professional display from Thomas Tuchel’s side tonight.” 57 minutes |...
Read more