Wales scored twice in the first three minutes and held on after Montenegro replied during the second half to secure their first goals and win under Craig Bellamy in the second game of their Nations League campaign in Niksic.
In torrential conditions that made the contest farcical at times, Kieffer Moore fired the visitors ahead after 37 seconds and Harry Wilson doubled the lead with a strike from 25 yards less than three minutes later.
Stevan Jovetic hit the crossbar from near the halfway line and Driton Camaj tapped in from Nikola Krstovic’s cross 17 minutes from time for Montenegro, who might have earned at least a point without several saves from Wales debutant Karl Darlow in a chance-laden contest.
The result sends Bellamy’s team joint-top of League B Group 4 with Turkey, who have a superior goal difference after winning 3-1 at home to Iceland.
We can’t remember a Cymru gôl this quickly from kick off!
Kieffer Mawr 👏
📹 @sgorio #NationsLeague | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/FyaDA6MEQO
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 9, 2024
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Montenego vs Wales: Darlow impresses
Wales had impressed in their 0-0 draw at home to Turkey on Friday and their blistering start in incessant rain underlined the promise they have shown under Bellamy, who succeeded Rob Page in July.
Moore’s clinical finish and Wilson’s sumptuous strike gave an immediate assertion of control but there were nervy moments aside from Jovetic’s spectacular effort against the woodwork.
As part of a double save, Darlow made a sublime stop to thwart Jovetic before Ben Davies brilliantly cleared off the line in one of numerous vital interventions by the Tottenham defender.
Darlow’s performance was particularly memorable on a night when the Leeds United player became his country’s oldest ever newcomer.
Scoring screamers in the rain 😲@harrywilson_ #NationsLeague | #TogetherStronger
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 9, 2024
There were also a few flourishes of luck for Wales, although the character they displayed to hold on made their victory a deserved one.
Their commitment to Bellamy’s possession-based, passing ethos stood out early on but faded during the second half, Montenegro eventually having more of the ball.
Moore: Montenegro ‘very tough’
“It was very tough,” said Moore, who played in a red headband, speaking to BBC Radio Wales. “It was a gruelling performance.
“We knew we had to lay a marker straight away and when a ball falls for you that nicely, you’ve got to put it away. There’s been a lot of information to take in with the style [Bellamy] wants to play, but we’re enjoying it.”
Wales are next in action when they visit Iceland in the Nations League on October 11 (7.45pm GMT).
