Harry Wilson fantastic, Neco Williams shocking – Wales player ratings vs Kazakhstan
Wales emerged with a priceless 1-0 victory in Kazakhstan to move top of Group J in the 2026 World Cup qualifying phase.
Wales began the game in the ascendancy, and they were soon ahead as Kieffer Moore poked home from close-range after Liam Cullen’s header had been parried following a dangerous Harry Wilson free-kick.
The hosts tried to fight back into the second-half though, with Yan Vorogovsky going close twice as he rattled the crossbar and then placed his shot wide just before the hour mark with Karl Darlow beaten.
Wilson went close late on as his fierce drive tested Temirlan Anarbekov, but Kazakhstan had the best chance of the dying embers as Serikzhan Muzhikov crashed a free-kick against the bar in added-time.
Craig Bellamy‘s side hung on, though, and now have 10 points from five games in World Cup qualifying with an even better chance of making the finals in the USA.
Wales’ defence mostly stands strong
Karl Darlow – 7
The Leeds stopper was tested on three occasions and passed each time with flying colours. Never looked shaky or in trouble, and now looks to have fully nailed down a starting spot under Bellamy ahead of Danny Ward.
Neco Williams – 3
Struggled. Williams struggled to deal with Vorogovsky’s threat down Wales’ right side all game, and twice gave the ball away to allow Kazakhstan to shoot at Darlow’s goal before being booked late on for a rash tackle.
Chris Mepham – 7
Stood up tall in the second half and led the team well from the back. Never put a foot wrong in the tackle but could have been more assured with the ball at his feet.
Dylan Lawlor – 7
Lawlor made his first senior start in testing conditions, but again did well against a barrage of host attacks in the second period. His passing was excellent too, as he ended with a 98% pass accuracy.
Ben Davies – 7
Tottenham veteran Davies was a calm head at the back as Wales were up against it late on, and he did not look rusty in the slightest despite failing to appear for Spurs this season.
Sorba Thomas – 6
The Stoke City man was thrust out of position into a left wing-back role by Bellamy, and he never really looked too assured in defence but was a threat going forward and always wanted to progress it up the pitch.
Midfield run by Harry Wilson
Josh Sheehan – 6
Sheehan did the dirty work at the base of the visitors’ midfield and emerged out of the game with a lot of credit despite his credentials to play regularly for Wales being questioned prior to it.
Liam Cullen – 6
Another Wales player who played slightly out of his favoured position as he sat back in a more box-to-box midfield role. Cullen was not awful but needed a bit more tenacity to justify being selected in such a demanding position.
Harry Wilson – 9 – Player of the Match
Fantastic. Wilson was set to join Leeds on deadline day before a move fell through, but he did not let that play on his mind on international duty with a fine performance here.
The attacking midfielder was his country’s main creator as his fine delivery led to their only goal, and he could have scored himself late on with a good shot that was well-saved. Ran the game.
Lacklustre showing in attack
Brennan Johnson – 5
Pretty ineffective showing from a man who many expect to play a starring role if Wales are to make the World Cup next year. Looked unsure of where he was playing and did not have a shot on goal or create a chance all game.
Kieffer Moore – 7
Moore was the matchwinner for Bellamy’s side, but did not do much other than poke the ball home in the 25th minute. Seemed isolated all game but then should have done so much better with a chance just after the break as he let the ball run across him instead of smashing it at goal.
Substitutes:
Mark Harris (on for Moore 64′) – 5
Got stuck in, but that only seemed to go against him as he gave away fouls and the ball numerous times.
Daniel James (on for Johnson 64′) – 6
The Leeds star will have disappointed not to start this game, but he did not do much to prove that he should when he came on as he provided an outlet on the counter but very little else.
David Brooks (on for Thomas 76′) – 7
Offered a high-quality, calming influence when Wales needed it most in attack. It is easy to see why Crystal Palace wanted Brooks, considering their European exploits, based off this late cameo.
Jordan James (on for Cullen 76′) – 6
James hardly touched the ball but did look to provide some attacking impetus when he did as Wales hunted a late goal to kill it off late on.
Ben Cabango (on for Mepham 86′) – 4
Gave away the foul that led to Muzhnikov’s fantastic chance from a free kick in added-time with a terribly rash tackle.