The UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 witnessed a thrilling encounter between the Montenegro National Football Team and the Wales National Football Team at the City Stadium Nikšić in Nikšić. This League B, Group B4 match was pivotal for both teams aiming to climb the standings. The Montenegro National Football Team, playing on home turf, sought to leverage their familiarity with the City Stadium Nikšić to secure a victory. Conversely, the Wales National Football Team was determined to take all three points away from home to bolster their UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 campaign.
Montenegro National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Head-to-Head
Before this match, the Montenegro National Football Team and the Wales National Football Team had faced each other four times. Montenegro held a slight edge with two wins, while Wales had yet to register a victory against Montenegro. The teams had scored five goals each in their previous encounters, highlighting the competitive nature of their clashes.
| Montenegro vs Wales Head-to-Head Record | Montenegro | Wales |
| Wins | 2 | 0 |
| Draws | 0 | 2 |
| Goals Scored | 5 | 5 |
Montenegro National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Lineups
Montenegro National Football Team (Coach: Robert Prosinečki)
- Starting XI:
- GK: 1 Mijatović
- Defenders: 2 Andrija Vukčević, 5 Luka Šipčić, 19 Aleksandar Rubežić
- Midfielders: 8 Miloš Brnović, 16 Vladimir Jovović, 18 Driton Camaj, 23 Adam Marušić (C)
- Forwards: 9 Stefan Mugoša, 10 Stevan Jovetić, 11 Nikola Krstović
- Substitutes:
- 12 Petković (GK)
- 13 Nikić (GK)
- 3 Risto Radunović (on for A. Vukčević, 77′)
- 4 Marko Vukčević (on for Marušić, 74′)
- 6 Dejan Tući
- 7 Marko Bakić (on for Mugoša, 70′)
- 14 Igor Vukotić
- 15 Perišić
- 17 Đukanović
- 20 Milutin Osmajić (on for Brnović, 70′)
- 21 Marko Vukotić
- 22 Novica Eraković (on for S. Jovetić, 74′)
Wales National Football Team (Coach: Craig Bellamy)
- Starting XI:
- GK: 1 Karl Darlow
- Defenders: 2 Chris Mepham, 3 Neco Williams, 4 Ben Davies (C), 6 Joe Rodon, 14 Connor Roberts
- Midfielders: 5 Ethan Ampadu, 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Lewis Koumas, 15 Ollie Cooper
- Forward: 13 Kieffer Moore
- Substitutes:
- 12 Danny Ward (GK)
- 21 Adam Davies (GK)
- 7 Mark Harris (on for Moore, 80′)
- 10 Aaron Ramsey (on for Wilson, 80′)
- 11 Brennan Johnson (on for Roberts, 43′)
- 16 Ben Cabango
- 17 Jordan James (on for Cooper, 60′)
- 18 Jacob Beck
- 19 Sorba Thomas (on for Koumas, 46′)
- 20 Rubin Colwill
- 22 Josh Sheehan
Montenegro National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Half Time
- The match began at a blistering pace, with Wales taking immediate control. Just 1 minute into the game, Kieffer Moore gave Wales a dream start with a well-placed header, assisted by Wilson. Before Montenegro could regroup, Wales struck again. In the 3rd minute, Harry Wilson doubled the lead with a clinical finish, following a brilliant assist from Neco Williams. The early double strike stunned Montenegro as they found themselves 2-0 down within 3 minutes of kickoff.
- Montenegro tried to push back with Stevan Jovetić leading their attack, but their efforts lacked precision. In the 14th minute, Jovetić hit the woodwork, signaling Montenegro’s intent. Despite creating several chances, they struggled to break down Wales’ defense, with Darlow making crucial saves. The half ended 2-0 in favor of Wales, leaving Montenegro with a mountain to climb.
Half-Time Score: Montenegro 0-2 Wales
Montenegro National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Second Half Details
- Montenegro came out strong in the second half, eager to overturn the deficit. Coach Robert Prosinečki made several changes to inject fresh energy into the team. The substitutions of Milutin Osmajić and Marko Bakić added more creativity to the attack. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when Driton Camaj scored a brilliant goal, assisted by N. Krstović, to pull one back for Montenegro and reignite their hopes.
- As the clock ticked on, Montenegro pressed hard for an equalizer. The final minutes saw intense pressure from the home side, with a flurry of corners and free kicks in Wales’ box. However, the Welsh defense stood firm, and despite Montenegro’s valiant efforts, the game ended with a 2-1 victory for Wales.
Full-Time Score: Montenegro 1-2 Wales
Montenegro National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Stats
| Montenegro vs Wales | Montenegro | Wales |
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
| Possession (%) | 51 | 49 |
| Total Attempts | 22 | 9 |
| Attempts on Target | 4 | 3 |
| Attempts off Target | 10 | 5 |
| Blocked Shots | 1 | 8 |
| Corners | 12 | 5 |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
| Saves | 1 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 17 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Passes Completed | 297 | 303 |
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 79 | 80 |
| Balls Recovered | 41 | 45 |
| Woodwork Hits | 2 | 0 |
Montenegro National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Timeline
- 1′ – Goal! Kieffer Moore scores for Wales. Montenegro 0-1 Wales
- 2′ – Yellow Card for Ethan Ampadu (Wales).
- 3′ – Goal! Harry Wilson extends the lead for Wales, assisted by Neco Williams. Montenegro 0-2 Wales
- 14′ – Stevan Jovetić (Montenegro) hits the crossbar.
- 43′ – Substitution (Wales): Brennan Johnson replaces Connor Roberts due to injury.
- Half-Time – Score remains Montenegro 0-2 Wales.
- 46′ – Substitution (Wales): Sorba Thomas comes on for Lewis Koumas.
- 49′ – Yellow Cards:
- Miloš Brnović (Montenegro).
- Neco Williams (Wales).
- 51′ – Yellow Card for Chris Mepham (Wales).
- 57′ – Yellow Card for Adam Marušić (Montenegro).
- 60′ – Substitution (Wales): Jordan James replaces Ollie Cooper.
- 70′ – Substitutions (Montenegro):
- Milutin Osmajić for Miloš Brnović.
- Marko Bakić for Stefan Mugoša.
- 73′ – Goal! Driton Camaj scores for Montenegro, assisted by Nikola Krstović. Montenegro 1-2 Wales
- 74′ – Substitutions (Montenegro):
- Novica Eraković for Stevan Jovetić.
- Marko Vukčević for Adam Marušić.
- 77′ – Substitution (Montenegro): Risto Radunović for Andrija Vukčević.
- 80′ – Substitutions (Wales):
- Mark Harris for Kieffer Moore.
- Aaron Ramsey for Harry Wilson.
- 90’+4′ – Yellow Card for Jordan James (Wales).
- Full-Time – Match ends Montenegro 1-2 Wales.
Impact on the Points Table
The Wales National Football Team’s victory in this UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 match significantly boosts their position in League B, Group B4. Securing three points away from home enhances their prospects for promotion to League A. The Montenegro National Football Team, despite a spirited performance, remains in a challenging position and will need positive results in upcoming fixtures to advance.
Man of the Match
Harry Wilson (Wales National Football Team): Scored a crucial goal and was instrumental in Wales’s attacking plays, providing creativity and threat throughout the match.
The UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 clash between the Montenegro National Football Team and the Wales National Football Team was a captivating affair. Wales’s early dominance set the stage, with two goals in the opening three minutes. Montenegro’s persistent efforts, including multiple attacks and two strikes against the woodwork, showcased their resilience. However, Wales’s defense held firm, and their tactical substitutions helped secure a vital 2-1 victory. This match underscores the unpredictability and excitement of the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025, as teams vie for promotion and pride on the international stage.
