‘Surreal’ moment for teenager Williams as he rescues Wales with first goal
Wales’ winning habit continued yesterday with a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria as Neco Williams scored a dramatic stoppage-time header in Cardiff.
Liverpool teenager Williams, sent on as a 65th-minute substitute, met Jonny Williams’ cross at the far post in the fourth minute of injury time. It was the 19-year-old full-back’s first goal in senior football on the back of his breakthrough season at Anfield.
“To finish it off and get my first goal for my country is a proud moment for me and my family, and something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Williams.
“It’s just happened so quick – making my debut then scoring my first goal for my country. To get the opportunity was a surreal moment, and if I keep working hard and showing the gaffer what I can do, hopefully I will get my chances.”
The Dragons had opened their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 triumph in Finland on Thursday, when Ryan Giggs’ side made light of several notable absentees.
It was a third consecutive win for Wales on a seven-game unbeaten run, but Gareth Bale and company struggled to find the key to unlocking Bulgaria.
Bale, who has been out in the cold at Real Madrid, completed 90 minutes for the first time since 4 January but the country’ s record scorer could not add to his 33-goal tally.
The closest Wales – who kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet–had come to ago al before Williams’ late intervention was when David Brooks struck the woodwork 16 minutes from time.