Wales finished their season on a disappointing note after a 2-1 friendly defeat to Romania in Bucharest.
Romania opened the scoring through Florian Coman, who finished neatly to give the hosts the lead. Wales levelled when substitute David Brooks, on the pitch only two minutes, volleyed a lovely left-foot strike after being picked out at the far post by Daniel James.
Wales had opportunities to turn the game, but Adrian Rus restored Romania’s advantage with a goal about 10 minutes from time.
Manager Craig Bellamy described the result as ‘disappointing’ and said his side must improve. He felt Wales did not create enough chances or get into the final third consistently, were too deep in the build-up and moved the ball too slowly at times. Bellamy added that the team need to break lines more often and be more aggressive in attacking opposing defences.
Late in the match, Koumas was denied an equaliser by Rus’ goal-line intervention after a pass that might have been better played to an unmarked Cameron Congreve. The defeat leaves Wales without a friendly away win since November 2008, when Bellamy himself scored the winner in Denmark.
Wales remain winless in 2026 and will be tested when Nations League action resumes in September. Their group contains Denmark, Norway and Portugal, and their campaign begins with a trip to Portugal on September 24.