Iceland 2-2 Wales: Brennan Johnson nets once again but Craig Bellamy’s side throw away two-goal lead amid second half struggles

Craig Bellamy’s exciting new world collided with cold reality as Wales threw away a two-goal lead on a freezing night in Reykjavik.

On the one hand, a point away from home against Iceland, who beat England at Wembley in June, is a decent result for a side in a rebuilding phase. Still, Wales’ second half will give Bellamy plenty to think about as they prepare to face Montenegro in Cardiff on Monday.

Two ahead at half-time thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson – his seventh in as many games – and Harry Wilson, Wales were as poor in the second half as they were impressive in the first. A double from substitute Logi Tomasson gave Iceland a draw, but Wales came away slightly. Iceland hit the woodwork twice and wasted another excellent opportunity.

When Bellamy’s side are in the rhythm, they look good. When the gears aren’t moving so smoothly, they’re going to lose a surprising number of opportunities.

Although it took a little longer than last month in Montenegro, where they led by two within three minutes, Wales regained the lead early on.

However, Craig Bellamy’s side threw away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 on a freezing night

A double from substitute Logi Tomasson gave Iceland a draw, but Wales came away slightly

Neco Williams’ lovely ball over the top was brilliantly controlled by Wilson, whose effort was half-stopped by Hakon Valdimarsson, but when Valdimarsson cleared the ball off the line Johnson was there to tap it home.

Wales played with confidence on a difficult pitch. An excellent passing move ended with Johnson feeding Wilson and only the post stopped Wales from doubling their lead, with Valdimarsson wrong-footed by the deflected strike.

Five minutes later, Wilson scored his goal, from a remarkably similar move. Once again Williams caught the Icelandic back square, again Wilson’s touch was exceptional and this time his aim was true.

Williams proved as decisive in defense as he was in attack. When Andri Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur – sent Kolbeinn Finsson’s cutback past Danny Ward, Williams was there to clear the line.

Johann Gudmundsson fired a free-kick narrowly over before Wales should have taken their third. This time, Sorba Thomas’ run pierced Iceland’s backline, causing the winger to lose his cool at the crucial moment.

Johnson was taken off the pitch at half-time after receiving a booking that ruled him out of Monday’s clash with Montenegro in Cardiff. Iceland were already rotten before half time and it was no surprise that two substitutes were used.

They looked transformed early on and could have scored four times. Substitute Mikael Ellertsson twice missed the target from close range, while Orri Oskarsson hit the crossbar from twenty yards and saw another effort saved by Ward.

Bellamy’s men struggled to regain the poise they showed in the first half, although Ollie Cooper forced a good low save from Valdimarsson on the hour mark. On the other hand, Gudjohnsen should have done better from another inviting position. Iceland continued to apply pressure and Ward somehow managed to turn Gudmundsson’s fiercely low effort over the bar.

Bellamy’s men will get the chance to hit back on Monday when they take on Montenegro in Cardiff

However, the pressure showed up seconds later when substitute Logi Tomasson found space in the box and calmly finished with the outside of his left foot.

Moments later, Iceland ended up level. Tomasson took the back heel of the impressive Jon Thorsteinsson, squeezed around Connor Roberts and as he tried to cross the ball the ball hit Ward’s elbow and bounced in.

Bellamy brought off Roberts and Thomas, but the chances continued to go Iceland’s way. This time Oskarsson flashed a shot slightly wide, and in the final minute Thorsteinsson hit the post.