Craig Bellamy's exciting new world collided with cold reality as Wales threw away a two-goal lead on a freezing night in Reykjavik.
On the one hand, a point away from home against Iceland, who beat England at Wembley in June, is a decent result for a team in a rebuilding phase. Yet Wales' second-half display will give Bellamy plenty to think about as they prepare to face Montenegro in Cardiff on Monday.
Two up at the break thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson – his seventh in as many games – and Harry Wilson, Wales were as bad in the second half as they had been impressive in the first. A double from substitute Logi Tomasson earned Iceland a draw but Wales got off lightly here. Iceland hit the woodwork twice and wasted further excellent chances.
When Bellamy's side are in rhythm, they look the part. When the cogs don't move as smoothly, they concede a startling number of chances.
Although it took a little longer than in Montenegro last month, where they were two up inside three minutes, Wales again seized the advantage early on.
Brennan Johnson scored once again for Wales - his seventh goal in as many games
Craig Bellamy's side however threw away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 on a freezing night
A double from substitute Logi Tomasson earned Iceland a draw but Wales got off lightly
Neco Williams' fine ball over the top was controlled brilliantly by Wilson, whose attempt was half-stopped by Hakon Valdimarsson but when Valdimarsson scooped the ball off the line, Johnson was there to tap it home.
On a tricky pitch, Wales were playing with confidence. A superb passing move ended with Johnson feeding Wilson and only the post stopped Wales doubling their lead, with Valdimarsson wrong-footed by the deflected strike.
Five minutes later, Wilson had his goal, from a remarkably similar move. Once more Williams caught the Iceland back four square, once more Wilson's touch was exceptional and this time his aim was true.
Williams was proving as decisive in defence as in attack. When Andri Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur – steered Kolbeinn Finsson's cut-back beyond Danny Ward, Williams was there to clear off the line.
Johann Gudmundsson put a free-kick narrowly over before Wales should have had their third. This time Sorba Thomas' run pierced the Iceland back line only for the winger to lose composure at the vital moment.
Johnson was brought off at half-time after picking up a booking that will rule him out of Monday's meeting with Montenegro in Cardiff. Iceland had been rotten before the break and it was no surprise to see two substitutes brought on.
They looked a side transformed early on and could have scored four times. Twice sub Mikael Ellertsson missed the target from close range, while Orri Oskarsson hit the bar from 20 yards and saw another effort saved by Ward.
Bellamy's men were struggling to regain the poise they showed in the first half though Ollie Cooper forced a good low save from Valdimarsson on the hour. At the other end, Gudjohnsen should have done better from another inviting position. Iceland continued to press and Ward somehow managed to turn a fierce low effort from Gudmundsson over the bar.
Bellamy's men will have the chance to hit back when they face Montenegro in Cardiff on Monday
The pressure told seconds later, though, when sub Logi Tomasson found space in the box and finished calmly with the outside of his left foot.
A little later, Iceland were deservedly level. Tomasson collected the impressive Jon Thorsteinsson's backheel, squeezed around Connor Roberts and when he tried to force the ball across, it struck Ward's elbow and bounced in.
Bellamy brought off Roberts and Thomas but the chances continued to fall to Iceland, this time Oskarsson flashing a shot a fraction wide, and in the final minute Thorsteinsson struck the post.