Wales trio Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow secured Craig Bellamy’s first win as Wales manager as the Leeds United trio beat Montenegro away from home, winning 2-1.
Ampadu and Rodon were in action in Bellamy’s first game, a solid 0-0 draw with Turkey in their first Nations League clash. Then, on Monday night, Wales were expected to pick up three points away.
However, the weather did its best to stop Wales. A night of rain and wind in Niksic that made the pitch almost unplayable, but two goals inside the first three minutes saw Wales produce a crucial victory.
Kieffer Moore slammed a loose ball home inside the penalty area after less than 40 seconds, before Harry Wilson scored an outrageous effort from the best part of 30 yards in the blistering rain in Montenegro.
Gnonto and Dallas react as Karl Darlow posts on Instagram
Darlow, 33, won his first cap for Wales after previously turning Wales’ advances down. But, with the Leeds man now in the latter stages of his career, the Northampton-born stopper chose to finally play for Wales.
A sub against Turkey, Bellamy through Darlow between the sticks on Monday and while there was a few shaky moments, he performed well. Stefan Jovetic’s effort smashed the bar from the halfway line.
But it was a solid debut from Darlow who made a double save in the first 45 before denying an opponent and Ben Davies produced a stunning block. He posted on Instagram (above), prompting plenty to react.
Stuart Dallas congratulated Leeds’ second-choice goalkeeper, while Wilfried Gnonto posted “Karlow” and a heart emoji. Michael Chopra, Dorus de Vries and Robert Earnshaw also commented on Darlow’s post.
Darlow breaks 20-year Wales record with Monday debut
At 33, Darlow broke a long-standing record as the eldest player to make his debut for Wales since Martyn Margetson won his sole cap for Wales back in 2004. Not just a debutant then, but also a record breaker.
Ampadu, Rodon and Darlow, along with teenager Charlie Crew, will now return to Elland Road this week ahead of a huge Championship clash between Leeds and promotion rivals Burnley on Saturday at home.
Leeds will have to wait though for the likes of Gnonto, Ao Tanaka, Mateo Joseph, Junior Firpo and USA star Brenden Aaronson who are all in action for their countries in the next 24 hours.
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