Wales took a big step towards World Cup qualifying on Thursday afternoon with a 1-0 away win over Kazakhstan, despite being without injured Leeds United duo Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu has been sidelined since the opening Premier League game of the season. The Leeds skipper has an injury to his MCL, and is expected to be back after the international break, as he continues his rehab.
Rodon is fit to play for Leeds after the break against Fulham, but Rodon did not travel to Kazakhstan as he was observing concussion protocols. Charlie Crew was selected, but was not in the official team today.
That meant only two of the five Wales internationals on Leeds’ books were involved today, with Dan James a substitute in the 64th minute and then Karl Darlow starting, earning a clean sheet for Wales.
Wales fans delighted with “unreal” Karl Darlow in Kazakhstan
For the first 45 minutes, Darlow had little to do other than pass the ball to his defenders and make a very comfortable save, a tame shot straight at him from 20 yards. But Kazakhstan improved in the second half.
Cutting inside off the left flank, Galymzhan Kenzhebek curled an excellent effort that looked like it was about to nestle in the top corner and draw the game level, after Kieffer Moore had given Wales the lead.
Supporters were absolutely delighted with Darlow for the save, keeping Wales in the lead at such a critical moment of the match. Here is a selection of posts on X from Wales supporters watching the game.
With Kazakhstan pushing, one Wales supporter described Darlow’s stop as an “unreal save” but urged Wales to “wake up”. Another described it as a “cracking save” as he managed to get a fingertip to the ball.
Another said Darlow “brilliantly” managed to save the effort that looked goalbound from the moment it left Kenzhebek’s foot. Darlow did have a heavy touch later on, almost allowing a striker to steal the ball.
Karl Darlow could become a free agent at the 2026 World Cup
Wales are in a good position after five of eight World Cup qualifying games, securing 10 points after the win over Kazakhstan. With Darlow first choice, it could be Darlow is in action at the next World Cup.
However, with the competition starting less than three weeks before Darlow’s Leeds contract expires on June 30, there is every chance that Darlow becomes a free agent while he is competing with his nation.
Darlow impressed for Leeds when given a run in the side last season, but the veteran goalkeeper made a massive error in his only Leeds outing this term at Sheffield Wednesday. It is unclear if he gets a new deal.
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