Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Wed 3 June 2026 7:10, UK

Wales battled to a 1-1 draw against Ghana on Tuesday night, with Leeds United skipper Ethan Ampadu more than making his presence felt.

Ampadu started the friendly clash in Cardiff and surprisingly played the full 90 minutes against World Cup-bound Ghana.

The 25-year-old earned his 62nd cap for his country already and was an assured presence in midfield for much of the game.

Caleb Yirenkyi appeared to have earned all three points for Ghana in the second half, but up popped Lewis Koumas to snatch a draw in the 94th minute.

Ampadu was superb for Leeds in the 2025-26 season and he is clearly still showing those battling traits on international duty.

Ethan Ampadu bosses Wales midfield vs Ghana

Ampadu was Leeds’ second-best player in the 2025-26 season statistically speaking, behind only Anton Stach.

Daniel Farke will not like the fact Ampadu is still playing so many minutes long after Leeds’ season has concluded, but at least – selfishly speaking from a Leeds perspective – he will not be at the World Cup.

While not at his very best against Ghana, Ampadu was said by Joe Ledley via BBC Sport to have “bossed the midfield for Wales” in the opening 45 minutes.

Wales Online, meanwhile, gave Ampadu a 7/10 as they agreed he “mopped up brilliantly” in front of the defence.

However, Ampadu was said to have “faded after the break” in what was still a very assured display in the middle of the park.

How did Leeds’ other Wales contingent get on?

Ampadu was one of four Leeds players who started for Wales against Ghana, along with Joe Rodon, Daniel James and Karl Darlow.

Rodon was on a par with Ampadu at the back, producing what can best be described as a solid display without being spectacular.

James, meanwhile, was Wales’ best performer in the first half and went close to scoring multiple times.

"We wanted to put in a performance that Wales could be proud of"

Ymateb Ethan Ampadu yn dilyn gêm gyfartal yn erbyn Ghana.@S4C | @S4Cchwaraeon pic.twitter.com/lZfkXprfh4

— Sgorio (@sgorio) June 2, 2026

The winger did fade, but that is perhaps understandable given he is not exactly at 100 per cent fitness right now.

As for Darlow, he redeemed himself after an error that was almost punished in the first half by producing an outstanding stop in the second period.

All four players are now expected to feature once again when Wales face Romania in Bucharest on Saturday.