Internationals | Ben is Wales' captain fantastic against Kazakhstan
Sat 22 March 2025, 22:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ben Davies led by example as Wales kicked-off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with an important 3-1 win against Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday night.
The defender claimed a goal and an assist as the Dragons recovered from being pegged back to 1-1 in the first half to win 3-1 in European qualifying Group J. Brennan Johnson also started and completed 62 minutes up front for Wales.
That was just the second time in his professional career that Ben has both scored and assisted in a game with his only previous such effort coming for us in a 4-0 Premier League win at Huddersfield Town in September, 2017.
It was also only his third senior international goal as he earned his 93rd cap, throwing himself in at the far post to meet Sorba Thomas' deep corner three minutes into the second half. That made it 2-1 - earlier, Ben provided the assist for Dan James' opener, before Askhat Tagybergen levelled from the penalty spot. Rabbi Matondo put the issue beyond doubt with a late third for Craig Bellamy's team, who now face a trip to North Macedonia on Tuesday.
Elsewhere in World Cup qualifying, Manor Solomon, on loan at Leeds, claimed a late assist for Eliezer Dasa as Israel beat Estonia 2-1 in Group I. Former Spur Maksim Paskotsi opened the scoring for Estonia. Norway are next up for Israel on Tuesday.
Pape Matar Sarr came off the bench for the start of the second half as Senegal were held 0-0 by Sudan in AFCON qualifying Group B. Sudan top the group, Senegal remain unbeaten after five games, but sit third. It's Togo next for Pape on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Mikey Moore started and carried a threat for England Under-19s against Turkey, but it remained goalless in the UEFA U19 qualifier at Deeside Stadium. Victory against Portugal on Tuesday will see the Young Lions through to the competition proper.
Malachi Hardy started again for England Under-17s, who picked up a 3-2 win against Slovenia. Jun’ai Byfield was a late substitute as the Young Lions moved to the top of Group A7 in UEFA U17 qualifying. In the same competition, George Feeney came off the bench late for Northern Ireland and had a couple of sights at goal in a 1-0 loss against Israel.
Sunday's action
Pedro Porro - Spain home UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against the Netherlands - kick-off 7.45pm
Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario - Italy away UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Germany - kick-off 7.45pm
