Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were given a major boost as they edged out Kazakhstan 1-0 in Astana.

Kieffer Moore’s first-half strike was the decisive moment in a tight contest on Thursday, extending Craig Bellamy’s impressive start as head coach. 

The visitors' breakthrough came in the 24th minute, when Liam Cullen’s header was parried into Moore’s path and the Wrexham striker reacted sharply to slot into the empty net.

Kazakhstan rallied late on and almost snatched a dramatic equaliser, with Serikzhan Muzhikov's injury-time free-kick rattling the woodwork, but Wales held firm to secure three vital points on the road.

The result lifts Wales to the top of Group J with three games remaining, while Kazakhstan stay fourth and see their qualification hopes suffer another setback.

Third-placed Belgium, however, could go top as they have three games in hand on Wales, having seen the start of their campaign delayed due to the Nations League.

Data Debrief: Wales fight to crucial victory

It was a much closer call than they would have liked, but Wales clung on for their third victory in five World Cup qualifiers – and their sixth in 11 matches under Bellamy overall.

This was only the third time in Wales' last 50 competitive fixtures – a run that dates back to 2020 – that they started without both Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, with the Leeds United duo injured.

Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor partnered Chris Mepham at centre-back, at the age of 19 years and 246 days. That made him the youngest player to make his Wales debut as a starter since 2013, when Declan John did so against North Macedonia (18 years, 103 days).

He held his own as Wales kept their hosts at arm's length until a nervy finish, with Moore making the difference. He has now scored in back-to-back appearances for Wales for the first time since November 2021, having also netted in a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein in June.