Wales snatched a last-gasp draw with World Cup-bound Ghana thanks to Lewis Koumas’ late header, but who else impressed in the match?

Dan James

James was Wales’ brightest spark in a good first half, and constantly had the beating of Ghana left back Gideon Mensah.

James was lively from the first whistle, slipping a low ball in behind for Kieffer Moore in the early exchanges before getting on the end of a David Brooks short corner to plant a header that was tipped onto the post.

Better still came moments later when he struck the bar — all within the opening quarter of an hour.

The winger’s pace and directness caused problems throughout, with Ghana’s Gideon Mensah struggling repeatedly to contain him down that flank.

On this form, James looks back to his best for Bellamy’s side, and will be key when facing the higher lines of the likes of Portugal, Denmark, and Norway.

Kieffer Moore

It’s no secret that some of Wales’ slickest performances under Bellamy have come without Moore in the side.

But when the passing moves aren’t clicking, the Wrexham striker offers something different: a physical, aerial presence that can be very effective at international level.

Ghana were without their first-choice backline and were trialling the untested partnership of Jonas Adjetey and Jerome Opoku at centre-half.

Moore made their lives difficult, keeping them occupied and honest for the best part of an hour.

Not every contribution shows up in the highlights reel, but Moore’s hold-up work and physical disruption were quietly important to Wales’ shape.

Jay Dasilva

Coming off the back of a Championship title-winning campaign with Coventry City, Dasilva has taken full advantage of Connor Roberts’ absence to nail down the left-back berth under Bellamy, freeing Neco Williams to operate in his more natural right-sided role.

What was particularly telling here was that even with Roberts now fit and available, Dasilva kept his place in what was effectively the strongest Wales side Bellamy could name given their injury absentees.

That selection says everything about the trust the manager has placed in him. Composed, dependable and increasingly assured at international level.

Dylan Lawlor

Another quietly excellent outing for the Cardiff City youngster.

Asked to play on the left of a centre-back pairing to accommodate the more experienced Joe Rodon, Lawlor barely put a foot wrong.

The 20-year-old was unfazed by the quality and movement of Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana and company in Ghana’s forward line.

The numbers backed up the eye test: the most touches of any Wales player on the night, an 89% pass accuracy and three aerial duels won from five contested.

There is a real maturity to Lawlor’s game that belies his age, and he is quickly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in Welsh football.

Lewis Koumas

The second half brought fresh legs and fresh impetus, and ultimately the goal that salvaged a point.

Lewis Koumas got his first senior Wales goal, and it came in fitting fashion: a Neco Williams burst down the right, the kind of overlapping run that has become something of a trademark, and Koumas was there to finish.

Bellamy is on record as seeing the Liverpool youngster as a future option at nine given the lack of strikers coming through the system, and moments like this suggest that faith is well placed.

Cameron Congreve also caught the eye on the right, delivering a couple of inviting left-footed crosses and looking, as Bellamy noted, like he’d played for Wales for years.

Kai Andrews and Isaak Davies, meanwhile, both looked tidy and energetic when introduced, adding to a sense that the depth of this squad is growing. A promising night all round from the Welsh bench.

---

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.