Last time out, Wales let a two-goal lead slip, so they will be determined to get all three points when they play Montenegro in the UEFA Nations League on Monday. There are still good chances for the Dragons to get promoted from League B Group 4, but their most recent opponents at Cardiff City Stadium look like they will be going down because they have yet to win a game. Wales lost a Nations League game in Reykjavik on Friday after being ahead 2-0 at halftime, but they were still glad that Iceland didn’t beat them and end their perfect start to Group 4.
Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson scored goals to put the Dragons ahead at halftime. But in the second half, inspired substitute Logi Tomasson scored and then Danny Ward gave up an own goal, which tied the game. The hosts hit Ward’s post twice in the last few minutes, but both shots went wide. Wales manager Craig Bellamy was okay with getting a point, which brings his team’s total to five so far. That only puts them two points behind Turkey, which is in first place and guaranteed to move on to the next round. Second place is good enough to earn a spot in the playoffs.
When Rob Page was replaced, Bellamy took over. He started his reign in September with a 0-0 draw with Turkey and then a 2-1 win in Montenegro. If the second result happened again in Cardiff, Wales would be in a good position going into the final game in November. Last month, Montenegro lost two games in a row. They hoped to get off to a good start on Friday night, but Turkey beat them 1-0 in Samsun. The hosts had 29 goals and almost two-thirds of the ball.
Because of this, Robert Prosinecki’s team stuck at the bottom of Group 4 without a point. Iceland is in third place, four points ahead of the Brave Falcons. They have three games left to make things right. After winning their first two games of 2024, Montenegro has lost five in a row, their worst run since becoming a separate football country 17 years ago. The new FIFA world rankings put Montenegro 45 places below Wales. They are not expected to win in Cardiff, but they have caused a few upsets in their short history. Both teams aren’t playing well, but they’re both likely to score in this game, which should make it exciting. Wales is expected to win.