Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson played their part for Wales as their nation continued their promising 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan.
In a vital clash in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana, the Welsh were made to work for the win and just about edged the contest to keep their hopes of automatic qualification for next year's showpiece tournament alive.
Both Ben and Brennan started the clash with Kazakhstan with Ben completing the full 90 minutes as captain while Brennan played 65 minutes before being substituted. It was Ben's 97th cap for his nation while Brennan picked up his 38th.
Kieffer Moore grabbed the only goal of the game, breaking the deadlock from close range before it was very much backs-against-the-wall defending from the Welsh as Kazakstan impressed on home turf.
They held out though with some gritty defending to move to the top of the Group J qualifying table, two points ahead of North Macedonia, although the Balkan nation has a game in hand. They are also now six point clear of Belgium, although the Red Devils have three games in hand.
Next up for Wales is a friendly with Canada in Swansea on Monday night before the huge visit of Belgium to Cardiff in October.