Some football nights live forever in the memories of fans, and Wales’ 2–1 victory over Italy in a Euro 2004 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium was one of them. On a crisp October evening in 2002, Mark Hughes’ side produced one of their greatest modern results, stunning the Azzurri in front of a roaring home crowd.
The Build-Up
Italy arrived in Cardiff as heavy favourites, boasting a star-studded squad featuring Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, and Alessandro Del Piero. Wales, meanwhile, were seen as underdogs despite having world-class talents like Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy. But Hughes had built a resilient, confident side that believed they could take on anyone, especially on home soil.
A Dream Start
Wales began brightly and shocked Italy with their intensity. After just 12 minutes, Simon Davies opened the scoring. The Tottenham midfielder latched onto a loose ball and fired past Buffon, sending the Millennium Stadium into pandemonium. The early goal gave Wales belief, but Italy, as expected, responded with pressure and possession.
Del Piero’s Deflected Equaliser
Italy found their rhythm. Their equaliser came when Alessandro Del Piero’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off the Welsh wall, wrong-footing Paul Jones and finding the net. It was a slice of luck that drew Italy level and momentarily silenced the Cardiff crowd. But Wales refused to let the momentum slip.
Bellamy’s Moment of Magic
With just 17 minutes left, Craig Bellamy etched his name into Welsh football folklore. Latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from John Hartson, Bellamy raced past the Italian defence and coolly slotted past Buffon to restore Wales’ lead. The crowd erupted, sensing something truly special.
Holding On for History
Italy pushed hard in the final minutes, but Wales, marshalled brilliantly by Gary Speed and Danny Gabbidon, held firm. When the final whistle blew, the Millennium Stadium erupted in joy. It was Wales’ first competitive win over Italy, a moment of pure national pride.
Aftermath and Legacy
The victory propelled Wales to the top of their Euro 2004 qualifying group and remains one of the standout moments in the nation’s football history. Though they would narrowly miss out on qualification after a playoff defeat to Russia, the night in Cardiff symbolised a turning point, a belief that Wales could compete with Europe’s elite.
For Italy, it was a rare stumble. Yet for Wales, 16 October 2002 was a night when passion, belief, and courage triumphed over reputation, and a new generation of fans began to dream again.