Wales’ victory over Iceland boosts World Cup hopes, while Bellamy expresses relief at proving critics wrong.
Craig Bellamy has expressed his satisfaction with not only guiding Wales to Nations League promotion but also showing a more composed side of himself in the managerial role. After overseeing an impressive 4-1 win over Iceland, which extended his unbeaten streak to six matches as Wales manager, Bellamy reflected on the importance of proving he is more than just his fiery temperament, often questioned throughout his playing career.
The result, which saw Wales overcome an early deficit, was further boosted by Turkey’s surprising loss to Montenegro, allowing Wales to top Group B4 and enhance their 2026 World Cup qualification chances.
Bellamy, who is no stranger to controversy on the pitch, noted: “It was important to demonstrate that I’m not a lunatic, that I’m quite sane. People used to expect me to lose control, push referees or get sent off. I wanted to show them the other side of me.”
He continued, “I understand the media’s concerns, but now you’re seeing a calmer and kinder version of me, even when things go wrong. It’s a difficult time for me emotionally, but I know I must stay composed.”
Despite the calmness he is portraying, Bellamy did receive a booking during the match for protesting to the fourth official, though his team’s performance was far from troubled. Liam Cullen netted a brace in his first international goals, with Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson adding further strikes to secure the win.
Following the result, Wales are now essentially assured of a World Cup play-off spot, thanks to being the seventh-best Nations League group winners.
Looking ahead, Bellamy remarked, “We want to be at the World Cup, and we’re determined to compete if we get there. The players deserve it; they’ve shown great commitment.”
The victory also underscored the team’s unity, with Bellamy citing the collective spirit within the squad, including a poignant gesture when players donated to a colleague’s family following a loss. He concluded by admitting he hadn’t realised Wales had topped the group until hearing the fans’ chants, adding: “It was a good night, especially after going 1-0 down and still managing to play our way.”
