Wales let a two-goal lead slip as Iceland stormed again to drive a deserved 2-2 Nations League attract Reykjavik.
Brennan Johnson maintained his outstanding scoring streak and Harry Wilson was additionally on track as Wales established a commanding interval benefit.
However Iceland substitute Logi Tomasson turned the sport within the area of three second-half minutes as Wales had been unable to stem a blue tide surging in the direction of them.
Wales got here into the competition buoyed by constructive performances and 4 Nations League factors from Craig Bellamy’s first two video games in cost final month.
Skipper Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James had been all lacking via harm as Bellamy shuffled his pack from the 2-1 win in Montenegro.
Out went Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Chris Mepham and Lewis Koumas with Johnson – a substitute in Niksic – amongst these returning after scoring in six consecutive video games for Tottenham.
Iceland – down in 71st on this planet rankings and 42 locations decrease than Wales – included Andri Gudjohnsen, the 22-year-old son of former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur.
On a freezing night and tough pitch on this planet’s most northerly capital, Wales wanted time to heat up as Iceland made the preliminary operating.
Wales profited from their first assault after 11 minutes as Ben Davies picked out Wilson with an outstanding ball excessive.
Wilson’s shot was partially saved by Hakon Valdimarsson who raced again in the direction of his objective to cease the ball going over the road.
Valdimarsson managed to do this however he might solely push it again for Johnson to poke the ball house from a yard out for his fourth Wales objective.
Wilson and Johnson linking up was a continuing explanation for concern for Iceland hosts, who created some promising positions earlier than being let down by wayward taking pictures.
Wilson’s deflected shot struck a put up with Valdimarsson rooted to the spot, however the Fulham ahead didn’t have to attend lengthy for his eleventh Wales objective.
Neco Williams’ raking cross picked out Wilson’s run from deep and the left-footed end was emphatic.
Gudjohnsen was inches from lowering the deficit as Williams produced an excellent goalline clearance and Johann Berg Gudmundsson curled a free-kick over.
Wales ought to have had a 3rd earlier than half-time as Wilson’s defence-splitting ball despatched Sorba Thomas via for a one-on-one contest that Valdimarsson received.
The one first-half blot for Wales was a second reserving within the competitors for Johnson, ruling him out of Monday’s house recreation in opposition to Montenegro, and he made method on the break for Wes Burns.
There was a transparent shift in momentum in the beginning of the second interval as Mikael Ellertsson scooped over a wonderful probability and Orri Oskarsson brought on actual issues for the Wales defence.
Oskarsson rattled the crossbar from 20 yards after which compelled a high quality save from Ward.
Ollie Cooper broke the shackles to check Valdimarsson with a low drive, however Ward made an excellent save from Gudmundsson earlier than Tomasson’s decisive contribution.
It virtually bought worse for the Dragons as Thorsteinsson clattered a put up two minutes from time.
However Wales held on for a draw as Bellamy grew to become the primary Wales supervisor to keep away from defeat in every of his first three aggressive matches.
What’s subsequent?
Wales’ Nations League marketing campaign continues this week once they host Montenegro on Monday, October 14; kick off 7.45pm.
