It was the crowning glory in a performance the national team boss hailed as “close to the perfect performance.”
While Bellamy revelled in the fluency, sharpness and ruthless finishing his side displayed at the Cardiff City Stadium, it was Wilson’s poise, maturity and intelligence in his first game as Wales captain that dominated the manager’s post-match reflections.
Bellamy, who has repeatedly championed Wilson’s footballing IQ since taking charge, made no attempt to hide his admiration after watching the 27-year-old guide Wales into a home World Cup play-off play-off semi-final with a career-best display.
“I have only seen the superb side of him since I have been in his role,” Bellamy said.
“He is such an intelligent player, he was incredible.”
With Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies injured and Ethan Ampadu unavailable, Wilson was handed the armband for the first time — and responded with the authority of a veteran captain, becoming the first Wales player since Gareth Bale in 2021 to score a hat-trick.
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His treble, which lifted him to 17 international goals and eighth on the all-time Welsh list, included a nerveless penalty, a sublime free-kick and another spot-kick to cap a night Wales fans will remember for years.
Wilson’s rise to a senior leadership figure has been steady.
Once known primarily for his wand-like left foot, he has evolved into a well-rounded attacking force.
Bellamy has likened Wilson’s balance, craft and ability to manipulate his body shape to elite South American forwards.
“Harry uses his body in that way and if you get too tight to him, you foul him,” Bellamy has said previously, drawing comparisons with Carlos Tevez and Luis Suárez.
“His smartness and how he is able to press, his intensity and what he is able to do, really tells me how good a player he is.”
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Those traits were on full display as Wales tore through their opponents with a level of precision that stunned a North Macedonia side who had arrived in Cardiff unbeaten in the group.
Bellamy was effusive in his assessment of Wales’ overall performance, but even that wider praise returned to Wilson’s influence at the heart of it.
“I said to the players at the end I am not a perfect person, I haven’t come across anyone who is,” he said.
“But maybe I take a little bit of that back because that was as close to the perfect performance as I have seen. That was incredible.”
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He revealed he had sensed something special was brewing even in the pre-match meeting.
“I spoke to the players in the meeting before we came here and said we could really enjoy it. There could be something in this for us the way they play and how we are able to combat that.”
Wales lined up without a traditional striker, instead opting for a fluid system built around three No.10s — a plan that maximised Wilson’s strengths between the lines.
“We didn’t play with a forward, we had three (number) 10s,” Bellamy explained.
“But they were in the position where you drag someone out and someone runs, then the wide players were connected with it as well. We were just so clean with the ball and that allows you to have good chances. It was one of those days where we were able to take them as well.”
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Wales’ attacking avalanche — with David Brooks, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Nathan Broadhead also scoring — marked the first time the national side had hit seven goals since 1978.
The win ensured Wales avoided the bottom pot in Thursday’s World Cup play-off draw and with it the treacherous prospect of a semi-final trip to a top seed such as Italy, Turkey or Ukraine.
Instead, Bellamy’s men will host one of the Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Kosovo at the Cardiff City Stadium in March.
A home final would depend on a separate draw.
Wales had already secured their play-off place thanks to their Nations League record, but this thumping victory added clarity and optimism to their path.
In a qualifying campaign full of tight margins and nervy nights, Wales finally produced a performance overflowing with confidence — and their new captain was at the centre of it all.
