Wales recorded their first win under Craig Bellamy with a 2-1 Nations League victory over Montenegro on a rain-affected night in Niksic.
Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson gave Wales a dream start with a quickfire double inside three minutes.
Moore’s first goal came after 37 seconds – Wales’ fastest since 2003 – and ended their longest scoreless streak of four matches since September 2012.
Driton Camaj produced a superb finish that was all that was deserved in an entertaining encounter but Wales held on for three points after a draw in their Group B4 opener against Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey.
Despite an early lead, Wales could not relax against a double attack from their aggressive hosts Montenegro and Niksic.
There were several difficult challenges on the surface due to persistent rain, which raised questions on the first day itself as to whether the game would be played. Niksic was hosting its first men’s senior international match after the pitch at Podgorica’s National Stadium was declared playable by UEFA.
How Wales defeated Bellamy
Wales ended their goal drought with their first attack when Moore hit a pinball attack inside the Montenegro penalty area to hit the post for her 13th international goal.
Things soon got better for Wales as Wilson picked up a pass from Neco Williams and fired a superb shot from 25 yards which beat a stunned Milan Mijatovic into the top corner.
Ethan Ampadu was booked in a frantic opening over and Montenegro almost halved the gap when Nikola Krstovic sent Stefan Mugosa’s cross inches wide.
They came even closer when Ampadu lost possession and Jovetic found Darlow drifting out of his area, and hit the crossbar with a bold effort from inside his own half.
Darlow blocked Jovetic’s shot from very close range and as the ball reached him, Ben Davies showed his experience to force Camaj back and stop the shot with a superb goal-line clearance.
Johnson was introduced into the field in place of the limping Connor Roberts just before halftime and troubled Mijatovic as time expired.
Wales played in appalling conditions in Montenegro
Wales should have won it when Wilson passed to Davies and his pass across the face of goal left Moore with the easiest tap-in, yet he scored from five yards.
Montenegro refused to surrender and Vladimir Jovović scored from 20 yards, which Krstović headed into the goal on the rebound.
Darlow made a superb save from Jovetic, forcing the veteran forward to shake hands with him, but the goal Montenegro were threatening arrived.
After 73 minutes.
Krstovic scored in quick succession and Camaj headed into an empty goal but subsequent pressure by the home side proved futile.
