Bellamy call was spot on as Wales are just no match for old rivals

CRAIG Bellamy's pre-match verdict, as it turns out, was unfortunately spot on.

- TOM COLEMAN

"If you were a boxing promoter, you wouldn't put us together it wouldn't be allowed," the Wales boss prophetically said ahead of his side's trip to Wembley.

If this really was a boxing match, it would have been stopped within the first round. Medics would have been called. Daytime television awash with spiky debates questioning how a civilised society can allow such barbarism to take place in front of a paying public.

Indeed, a thundering right hook from Morgan Rogers, a precise jab from Ollie Watkins, and a spectacular haymaker from Bukayo Saka were enough to condemn Wales to the canvas after just 20 minutes here.

There were some promising signs of in the second half, with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford twice called into action, but few could argue that Wales were anything other than outclassed.

Bellamy named a strong side for this clash at Wembley, the first between these two sides in front of fans since 2011.

Wales fans were in sensational voice ahead of kickoff, but it wouldn't take long for them to be stunned into silence.

Indeed, Karl Darlow's save inside the opening couple of minutes was a hint of the onslaught that was to come Wales's way.

Just a minute later, the hosts were ahead.