"Wales' hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were given a major boost as they edged out Kazakhstan 1-0 in Astana. Kieffer Moore's first-half strike was the decisive moment in a tight contest on Thursday, extending Craig Bellamy's impressive start as head coach. The visitors' breakthrough came in the 24th minute, when Liam Cullen's header was parried into Moore's path and the Wrexham striker reacted sharply to slot into the empty net."
"Data Debrief: Wales fight to crucial victory It was a much closer call than they would have liked, but Wales clung on for their third victory in five World Cup qualifiers - and their sixth in 11 matches under Bellamy overall. This was only the third time in Wales' last 50 competitive fixtures - a run that dates back to 2020 - that they started without both Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, with the Leeds United duo injured. Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor partnered Chris Mepham at centre-back, at the age of 19 years and 246 days. That made him the youngest player to make his Wales debut as a starter since 2013, when Declan John did so against North Macedonia (18 years, 103 days)."
Wales secured a 1-0 win in Astana thanks to Kieffer Moore's 24th-minute finish after Liam Cullen's header was parried into his path. The victory lifts Wales to the top of Group J with three games remaining, while Kazakhstan remain fourth. Kazakhstan almost equalised late when Serikzhan Muzhikov's injury-time free-kick hit the woodwork, but Wales held on. The win was Wales' third in five World Cup qualifiers and their sixth in 11 matches under Craig Bellamy. Injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon forced changes, and 19-year-old Dylan Lawlor made a notable starting debut.
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