Neco Williams scored his first goal for Wales to clinch a dramatic late win against Bulgaria to maintain Ryan Giggs’ side’s 100% start to the Nations League.
Williams, making just his second senior appearance for Wales, headed home a Jonny Williams cross in the 94th minute to secure victory over a well-organised Bulgaria.
Wales have now won four consecutive competitive games for the first time since March 2003.
The fixture, which was played behind-closed-doors at the Cardiff City Stadium, lacked the usual intensity of an international match.
Wales appeared to be missing the motivation which is provided by a passionate Welsh crowd as chances came at a premium.
Instead, they relied on the Liverpool prodigy to hand them the victory with an excellent header at the far post.
With the victory, Giggs’ side remain unbeaten in eight matches and have now recorded four consecutive clean sheets.
Wales’ best chance prior to the goal was a free-kick from Gareth Bale, who struck the ball straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
It was the visitors who had the golden chance of the first-half with a rare opportunity at goal.
Galin Ivanov cut inside to drive a deflected shot just past Wayne Hennessey.
From the resulting corner, Bulgaria had a faint appeal for a penalty as Dimitrov went down, but the referee thought otherwise.
As Wales emerged for the second-half, they had already showed more about them than the first as they took control of possession.
Both Daniel James and David Brooks tried their best to provide an injection of enthusiasm into a largely low-key encounter.
Though the referee did his best to put a stop to that, with Kieffer Moore seemingly being penalised every time he challenged for the ball.
James exchanged a one-two pass with Joe Morrell before curling a shot at Georgiev who had to save his trickling shot.
With the game on a knife-edge, Wales almost snuck in front. James pulled the ball back for Brooks who hit the underside of the post.
Brooks’ shot was his last action of the game as he was replaced by Jonny Williams, and the midfielder’s introduction proved to be crucial as he set up the match-winning goal.
The Charlton Athletic man whipped in a cross for namesake Neco to head past Georgiev and spark wild celebrations.
Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Connor Roberts (Neco Williams 64), Tom Lockyer, Ethan Ampadu, Ben Davies, Joe Morrell, Matthew Smith, David Brooks (Jonny Williams 75), Daniel James, Gareth Bale (C), Kieffer Moore (Hal Robson-Kanu 61)
Yellow Cards: Matthew Smith 60, Neco Williams 85′
Bulgaria: Georgi Georgiev, Ivan Goranov, Kristian Dimitrov, Cicinho, Georgi Kostadinov (C), Todor Nedelev (Filip Krastev 81), Bozhidar Kraev (Dimitar Iliev 61), Yanis Karabelyov, Anton Nedayalkov, Birsent Karagaren, Galin Ivanov (Spas Deelv 68).
Yellow Cards: Georgi Kostadinov 42
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(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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