Nearly three years on from Gareth Bale’s retirement, Craig Bellamy believes Wales are stronger than ever as they prepare to face England at Wembley.
Life After Bale
When Gareth Bale ended his glittering international career at the 2022 World Cup, many feared Wales would struggle without their most-capped player and all-time top scorer. His final outing, a 3-0 defeat to England in Qatar, seemed to underline the challenge ahead.
But under Craig Bellamy, Wales have defied those doubts. The new boss has lost just two of his first 12 games in charge, steering a youthful squad with belief and momentum.
“I was told before I took the job that it was all falling off a cliff because the king [Bale] had gone,” Bellamy said.
“But I looked at it differently. I saw good players here, and I believe in the next couple of years this team will only get stronger.”
England Test and Belgium Challenge
Bellamy’s side will renew rivalries with England in a Wembley friendly on Thursday — their first meeting since that World Cup clash. Both nations are using the fixture as preparation for key World Cup qualifiers.
For Wales, the focus is clear: they must beat Belgium in Cardiff on 13 October to keep alive hopes of topping Group J and sealing automatic qualification.
“I want us to be there consistently, playing in major tournaments against the best teams,” Bellamy said.
“If we want to be a top football nation — and we’ve flirted with it before — then we need to prove we can do it year after year.”
Memories of Wembley
Wales’ last visit to Wembley ended in a 3-0 defeat under Ryan Giggs five years ago, but Bellamy has fonder memories of an earlier clash.
In 2011, Gary Speed’s Wales were narrowly beaten 1-0 by England thanks to Ashley Young’s first-half strike. Robert Earnshaw missed a late chance to equalise, but Bellamy remembers the performance with pride.
“Watching the way the team played that night was one of the proudest moments for me,” recalled Bellamy, who missed the game through suspension.
“Speedo was on the touchline with his chest out, and the players went to Wembley and dominated. Earnie missed that chance, but we played the way Speed wanted us to play. That always burns for me, and I’d love to have that moment again — this time with the result going our way.”
