Wales Survive Late Penalty Drama to Hold Turkey

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

Turkey striker Kerem Akturkoglu missed an 89th-minute penalty as Wales kept their hopes of securing promotion to the Nations League’s top tier intact by the barest of margins with a dramatic goalless draw in Kayseri.

Backed by a deafeningly hostile home crowd, Turkey dominated large parts of the first half, but Wales came closest to scoring as Harry Wilson hit the post.

Turkey substitute Enes Unal missed a glorious chance after the interval as he fired wide from just a yard out and, as the final whistle loomed, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Yunus Akgun fell under a challenge from Neco Williams.

But Akturkoglu, Turkey’s top scorer in this competition, squandered the opportunity as his penalty hit the outside of the post and went wide.

A second successive stalemate between these sides means Turkey stay top of Group B4 with 11 points, while Wales are in second place on nine points and Iceland third on seven.

To win the group, Wales must now beat Iceland at Cardiff City Stadium in their final group game on Tuesday and hope Turkey drop points in Montenegro.

Failing that and unless they lose to Iceland, Wales will face a Nations League promotion play-off in March, meaning their World Cup qualifying campaign will be pushed back to June or September next year.

Bellamy said beforehand that Wales would “know a lot more” about themselves and their World Cup credentials after this match in Turkey, the team’s sternest examination yet under their hitherto unbeaten head coach.

Wales had impressed in their first four matches under Bellamy, not only because of their two wins and two draws but because of the nature of their performances and expansive new style of play.