In an electrifying opening to their World Cup qualifying campaign, Wales kicked off with a solid 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan at Cardiff City Stadium on March 22, 2025. Daniel James put Wales ahead early in the ninth minute with a deflected shot that caught the Kazakhstan goalkeeper Alexandr Zarutskiy off guard. Playing in front of a boisterous crowd of 32,473, the home team looked poised for a straightforward win until Askhat Tagybergen equalized for Kazakhstan with a penalty, taking advantage of a handball by Connor Roberts.
The match was tense, particularly leading up to half-time, as Kazakhstan, ranked 110th in the FIFA standings, proved to be surprisingly resilient. However, Wales regained control in the second half. Captain Ben Davies restored their lead just 79 seconds after the restart, converting a corner from Sorba Thomas with a powerful header. This marked only his third goal in international duty, soothing the nerves that arose after the visitors leveled the scoring.
Wales continued to press, creating multiple scoring chances but couldn’t find the net until the dying moments of the match. Rabbi Matondo, who had entered as a substitute, sealed the victory with a well-placed shot in the 90th minute. This goal not only marked Matondo’s first for the national team but also concluded the scoring for an evening that saw Wales triumph despite a shaky start.
After the match, Wales manager Craig Bellamy praised his side's perseverance, noting how important it was to return to winning ways, particularly after they faced criticism during the last World Cup. The team's unbeaten streak now stretches to seven games, following a victorious campaign in the Nations League. “We need to be patient with the ball and supporters need to be patient as well,” Bellamy remarked, emphasizing the need for tactical patience against teams that employ a defensive strategy.
The match officially kicked off Wales' quest for World Cup qualification amidst much anticipation. The squad had historically struggled in recent competitions, but hopes were high that this campaign would lead to a memorable journey. Davies, reflecting on the last World Cup, admitted, “The best moment of Qatar was probably just the Ukraine [playoff] game in getting there.” He further acknowledged that North Macedonia, their next opponents on March 25, would present a significant challenge after continuing their winning streak.
Wales started the match somewhat hesitantly, making several errant passes before breaking the deadlock with James’ early goal. A corner kick, unorthodox in execution, ultimately led to the chance. James’ shot, deflecting off a defender, created enough confusion in the Kazakhstan defense to find the net. Even as Wales took the lead, the visitors remained a considerable threat.
A pivotal moment came in the 32nd minute when a handball by Connor Roberts resulted in a penalty for Kazakhstan after a lengthy VAR check. Tagybergen calmly converted, sending the game into half-time all square despite Wales' dominant possession. The sense of trepidation in the stadium was palpable as the teams headed into the interval. However, Bellamy's calm demeanor as he addressed the players reportedly calmed the side down. According to Davies, “The players were the ones that were the most frustrated at half-time, whereas Bellamy came in Mr Calm.”
Indeed, Wales came out transformed in the second half. Davies’ header not only put Wales back in front but solidified their control of the game. The visitors struggled to mount any real response as Wales piled on the pressure. Substitute Neco Williams, alongside other forwards, tested the Kazakhstan defense, allowing Matondo to ultimately put the match beyond any doubt.
In the latter segments of the game, both Wales and Kazakhstan made substitutions, but the action remained lively. Matondo’s late goal brought scenes of jubilation among the home crowd, reflecting the fans' long-held hopes for another significant run on the international stage.
Wales will now prepare for a tricky away match in North Macedonia, a team that recently enjoyed success with a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein. With ambitions high, Coach Bellamy reinforced the need for his team to be at their best and to embrace the challenges ahead. “It’s going to be a difficult game, we’ll need a different type of profile, a different type of energy,” he stated, echoing the expectations from fans who yearn to see Wales succeed on the larger footballing stage again.
As the crowd sang their heart out back in Cardiff, echoing memories of Euro 2016 when Wales made it to the semi-finals, many are hoping this World Cup journey will echo with more successes. The triumph over Kazakhstan may not have been flawless, but the result offers a promising start in the quest for qualification.
