Wales opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan.
Daniel James gave Wales an early advantage before a near-capacity 32,473 crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium but that was wiped out by Askhat Tagybergen’s penalty, awarded after Connor Roberts had handled.
Kazakhstan were threatening to throw a spanner in the works but skipper Ben Davies and Rabbi Matondo, with his first Wales goal in the final minute, ensured a winning start for Craig Bellamy’s side.
A first Cymru gôl for Rabbi ☝️
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
It was only then at Welsh fans could breathe easily, but Bellamy will be delighted to bank three points before a tougher assignment in North Macedonia on Tuesday.
For the first-ever men’s meeting between the two nations, Bellamy made four changes from their previous fixture in November – a 4-1 win against Iceland that took his unbeaten start to a record-extending six games.
Karl Darlow got the nod over Danny Ward in goal and Roberts, Sorba Thomas and David Brooks also returned to the starting line-up after Wales had topped their Nations League group.
Kazakhstan, at 110th in the FIFA standings, arrived a whopping 81 places below Wales but with a proud record against British teams having beaten Scotland in 2019 and Northern Ireland twice in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Wales started slowly with several misplaced passes and poor touches before taking a ninth-minute lead.
A corner routine broke down but swift pressing from Liam Cullen and Davies saw the ball break to James, and his shot deflected off Aleksandr Marochkin to wrongfoot Alexandr Zarutskiy in the visitors’ goal.
It was James’ eighth international goal and the Leeds winger was the main source of Welsh attacking danger as events unfolded.
James went down under a Nuraly Alip challenge when howls for a penalty were ignored, but Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas would soon be pointing to the spot.

Islam Chesnokov’s 32nd-minute cross struck Roberts from close proximity, but the full-back’s arm was away from his body and there was always likely to one outcome despite a lengthy VAR check.
Tagybergen’s kick trickled over the line in slow motion after striking Darlow, Kazakhstan’s first goal in seven competitive matches stretching back to November 2023.
Roberts was central to the next talking point after being felled by Maxim Samorodov, with the full-back caught on the back of the calf.
Rumsas was sent to the pitchside monitor for another VAR check and after inspection decided that a yellow card, and not red, was enough punishment for Samorodov.
Two minutes after the re-start Thomas won a corner that he drilled to the far post, and met by Davies with a bullet header for only his third goal in 93 appearances.
Boom 💥
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
Cullen fired over after good work by Brooks and substitute Jordan James was denied by Zarutskiy’s sprawling save as Wales ramped up the pressure.
But Wales had to wait until the 90th minute for nerves to be calmed completely.
Jordan James sprayed a delicious pass to Thomas and his trickery allowed him to deliver a cross that Matondo gleefully dispatched.
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...

Reports suggest a striker, a new central midfielder, a winger and a backup goalkeeper all on the Italian's agenda as the season comes to a close. However, this means player sales will also be key to boosting Arteta's spending power if they want to comply with financial rules much like every other Premier League side. Raheem Sterling and veteran No.2 goalkeeper Neto are both set to return to their ...

Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Sam Barrott last night Kiwior VS Vinicius Jr. & Mbappe Fun Fact Once upon a time they all used to called as next Messi. VAR referee placing bets during a live game in the Bulgaria league. Only Didier Drogba can do this… Tottenham always make Chelsea feel better Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, ori...

Manchester United will beat Arsenal to the signing of fearsome Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to a Liverpool legend.Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the world after registering an incredible 85 goals in 92 appearances for Sporting CP since joining the club in July 2023. The 26-year-old was prevented from leaving last summer by a massive €100mil...

The Canada international is poised to become a free agent this summer, leading to plenty of interest in him from top Premier League clubs.According to Empire of the Kop, it now looks like Liverpool are serious contenders to sign David ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham.It's not often quality players like David are available for free, so it ...

Ollie Watkins was a transfer target for Arsenal back in JanuaryArsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window with a new striker at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. But there are seemingly no plans to rekindle their interest in Ollie Watkins after their failed January swoop for the Aston Villa star.Watkins, 29, emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter transfer window...

Man Utd hand Amir Ibragimov his first professional contract🚨✍🏻 Official: Amir Ibragimov has signed his first professional contract for Manchester United.He’s highly rated internally among talents for the future. pic.twitter.com/YrkLvNUeRd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2025Real Madrid sign highly-rated Diego Aguado🚨⚪️ 18 year old talent Diego Aguado has signed new deal at ...

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...

Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...



- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender