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Wilson's hat-trick propels Wales to dominant win over North Macedonia
Wales captain Harry Wilson scored three goals in a 7-1 rout of North Macedonia in November, marking his growing influence as Gareth Bale's successor on the international stage. The victory underscored Wilson's emergence as a key figure for his country following Bale's retirement in 2023.
The void left by Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale's departure created an unfillable gap for Wales. The former Real Madrid forward remains the nation's all-time top scorer and appearance holder, with his impact extending far beyond statistics. His leadership guided Wales to major tournaments, including their historic run to the 2022 World Cup, where he scored all three goals in the play-off victories over Austria and Ukraine.
Wilson, however, has embraced the challenge of filling part of that void. Since Bale's retirement, he has netted 12 of his 17 career international goals, often delivering spectacular long-range strikes reminiscent of his predecessor's signature style.
Wilson's rise to prominence
While Bale's career trajectory was a steady ascent to the top, Wilson's path has been more circuitous. Like Bale, he became Wales' youngest international at 16 but struggled to secure a first-team spot at Liverpool. A series of loan moves followed before he found stability at Fulham, where his performances have recently drawn widespread acclaim.
This season, Wilson has been one of the Premier League's standout performers, contributing 10 goals and six assists. His form has sparked speculation about his future, with his Fulham contract set to expire this summer. Match of the Day pundit Wayne Rooney praised his impact, noting, "Everything good about Fulham comes through Harry Wilson. His goals, his assists, his vision-everything about his game has been brilliant."
A leader in the making
Wilson's left foot has become a source of magic for Wales, much like Bale's once was. His ability to conjure goals from unlikely situations-evidenced by a December goal-of-the-month award for a strike against Crystal Palace-has set him apart. Statistically, only Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo has outperformed his expected goals (xG) by a wider margin this season.
"I never saw it as 'I have to replace Bale.' I just knew, along with the other attacking players, we've got massive boots to fill. As a collective, we have to do that."
Harry Wilson, Wales captain
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy attributed Wilson's recent surge to experience and footballing intelligence. "His football IQ is very high. His positioning and understanding of the game have definitely gone to another level," Bellamy said.
Key match looms in Cardiff
Wales face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a crucial World Cup play-off semi-final at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday (19:45 GMT). A victory would set up a final against Italy or Northern Ireland next Tuesday, with a place at the 2026 World Cup at stake.
Teammate Ethan Ampadu emphasized the collective effort required but acknowledged Wilson's unique ability to inspire. "When you look at a player who can create a moment of magic from nothing, it's definitely a confidence booster," Ampadu said. Former Wales captain Barry Horne added, "He is Wales' creative heartbeat at the moment. Free-kicks, open play-he's the man we'll be looking to."
What's next
The match will be broadcast on BBC One, with live coverage also available on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, and BBC Radio 5 Live.
