Wales earned a precious draw against Belgium to secure a dwelling World Cup play-off semi-final. Kevin de Bruyne ‘s elegant 20-yard photograph put the earth ‘s number one rank side in front in the 12th minute.
Cardiff City Stadium erupted as Kieffer Moore equalised later in the first half for the hosts, whose coherent performance fed a febrile atmosphere. Neco Williams about snatched a late succeed for Wales but his barbarous swerving snapshot was well saved by Koen Casteels. As it transpired, the draw was adequate to seal what could be all-important base advantage in March ‘s play-off semi-finals. Wales had already guaranteed a play-off invest thanks to their achiever in the Nations League, and their point against Belgium was adequate to secure second descry in Group E despite the third-place Czech Republic ‘s acquire over Estonia. now they are seeded for the semi-finals, Wales have managed to avoid daunting away ties against european champions Italy or Euro 2016 winners Portugal and could rather host the likes of North Macedonia. Wales will discover their semi-final opponents when the hook is made on Friday, 26 November. careless of the opposition, however, Wales can take great pride and promise from the fact they have taken such a significant step towards qualifying for a World Cup for the first time since their only other appearance in 1958 .
Wales prosper on the night of permutations
While this was a potentially complex flush for Wales, there were two simple facts about the job they faced. Beat Belgium and they would be guaranteed a home play-off semi-final ; lose and they would be away. It was a draw which would bring in the early permutations. then Wales would rely on results in early groups, needing Turkey not to win in Montenegro by four goals. Montenegro kept their side of the bargain by limiting Turkey to a 2-1 victory – but the lend complication for Wales was that they were up against the best team in the world .
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after giving Belgium the lead Group winners Belgium had already qualified automatically and, although they were without stellar talents such as Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku and Real Madrid attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, they were still able to name a formidable line-up. De Bruyne exemplified that ace timbre with his finish. The captain reacted cursorily to a blocked shoot and, with scantily any backlift, the Manchester City midfielder guided his curling first-time shoot into the net income. Belgium took control from that point but, for all their domination, Roberto Martinez ‘s side did not add to their spark advance. They continued to threaten after Moore ‘s leveler, most notably when De Bruyne ‘s free-kick was floated out to the border of the penalty area, where Thorgan Hazard connected with a sweetness volley which hit the post. But even as the game became stretched in the closing stages as Wales tired from the physical exertions of competing against such classy opposition, it was the home side who finished strongest. Williams came close to scoring a outstanding former achiever and, although Casteels pushed the shoot away, the celebratory scenes after the final examination whistle demonstrated how much of a result to cherish this was for Wales .
Wales impress in Bale’s absence
Wales were without their captain and all-time leadership goalscorer Gareth Bale, ruled out on the dawn of the game following his 45-minute appearance in Saturday ‘s 5-1 thrash of Belarus, his first appearance after two months out with a torn hamstring. Bale ‘s absence did not seem to affect the home english in the early exchanges, as they started purposefully, pressing their illustrious opponents high up the field once De Bruyne scored Wales had to endure farseeing spells without the ball, but they diligently kept at their task of containing the universe number ones and still posed a evanesce attacking menace of their own. That was enough to bring them degree in the 32nd minute. Daniel James had two crosses blocked on the leave wing and, at the third undertake, the ball evaded two raving mad lunges from Axel Witsel and Arthur Theale and fell to Moore, who controlled the ball with his diaphragm and struck a low tear beyond Koen Casteels in the Belgium goal. The celebrations were raucous. The goal felt valued equally well as significant, coming as it did from Wales ‘ first guess on target. Although Belgium enjoyed arsenic much as 75 % possession at times, Wales applied themselves wonderfully with a spirit team effort and had chances to claim another memorable victory over Belgium, whose only kill in their former 47 qualifying matches had come hera at Cardiff City Stadium in 2015. That european Championship qualifying win was eclipsed the following summer with Wales ‘ momentous Euro 2016 quarter-final gloat over Belgium, the greatest night in Welsh football history. In March, they will have a opportunity to create so far more charming memories, with Turkey, Poland, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Austria or Czech Republic standing in the way between Wales and a play-off final which could take them to a beginning World Cup since 1958 .
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Wales
formation 5-4-1
12
Ward
14
Roberts
5
Mepham
6
Rodon
4
Davies
3
N Williams
16
Morrell
10
Ramsey
7
Allen
20
James
13
Moore
- 12
Ward
- 14
Roberts
- 5
Mepham
- 6
Rodon
- 4
Davies
- 3
N Williams
- 16
Morrell
Booked at 34mins
- 10
Ramsey
Substituted for
Johnson
at
90+3′
minutes
- 7
Allen
- 20
James
- 13
Moore
Booked at 80mins
Substitutes
- 1
Hennessey
- 2
Gunter
- 8
Wilson
- 9
Roberts
- 11
Williams
- 15
Colwill
- 17
Norrington-Davies
- 18
Lawrence
- 19
Vaulks
- 21
Davies
- 22
Johnson
- 23
Thomas
Belgium
constitution 3-4-1-2
13
Casteels
21
Castagne
4
Boyata
2
Theate
15
Meunier
6
Witsel
8
Vanaken
10
T Hazard
7
De Bruyne
18
De Ketelaere
17
Origi
- 13
Casteels
Read more: EFL Trophy – Wikipedia
- 21
Castagne
Substituted for
Dendoncker
at
58′
minutes
Booked at 82mins
- 4
Boyata
- 2
Theate
Substituted for
Vertonghen
at
85′
minutes
- 15
Meunier
Substituted for
Trossard
at
85′
minutes
- 6
Witsel
- 8
Vanaken
- 10
T Hazard
Booked at 71mins
- 7
De Bruyne
- 18
De Ketelaere
Substituted for
Saelemaekers
at
58′
minutes
Booked at 75mins
- 17
Origi
Substituted for
Vanzeir
at
59′
minutes
Substitutes
- 1
Sels
- 3
Faes
- 5
Vertonghen
- 9
Trossard
- 11
Carrasco
- 12
Kaminski
- 14
Mertens
- 16
Vanzeir
- 19
Dendoncker
- 20
Benteke
- 22
Saelemaekers
- 23
Sambi Lokonga
- Referee:
- Artur Manuel Soares Dias
- Attendance:
- 32,343
Match Stats
Live Text
-
Post update
Match ends, Wales 1, Belgium 1 .
-
Full Time
second Half ends, Wales 1, Belgium 1 .
-
Post update
Foul by Leander Dendoncker ( Belgium ) .
-
Post update
Kieffer Moore ( Wales ) wins a exempt kick in the defensive half .
-
Post update
attack blocked. Dante Vanzeir ( Belgium ) right footed photograph from outside the box is blocked .
-
Post update
Attempt saved. Dedryck Boyata ( Belgium ) header from the center of the box is saved in the bottom left recess. Assisted by Jan Vertonghen with a headed excrete .
-
Post update
Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Joe Morrell .
-
Post update
attempt blocked. Leandro Trossard ( Belgium ) left footed shoot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alexis Saelemaekers .
-
Substitution
substitution, Wales. Brennan Johnson replaces Aaron Ramsey .
-
Post update
undertake missed. Dante Vanzeir ( Belgium ) right footed blastoff from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Alexis Saelemaekers .
-
Substitution
substitution, Belgium. Leandro Trossard replaces Thomas Meunier .
-
Substitution
substitution, Belgium. Jan Vertonghen replaces Arthur Theate .
-
Post update
Offside, Wales. Neco Williams tries a through ball, but Aaron Ramsey is caught offside .
-
Post update
Corner, Wales. Conceded by Koen Casteels .
-
Post update
Attempt saved. Neco Williams ( Wales ) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Daniel James .
-
Booking
Leander Dendoncker ( Belgium ) is shown the jaundiced card for a bad dirty .
-
Post update
Foul by Leander Dendoncker ( Belgium ) .
-
Post update
Daniel James ( Wales ) wins a free kick on the leave wing .
-
Booking
Kieffer Moore ( Wales ) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul .
-
Post update
Axel Witsel ( Belgium ) wins a absolve kick in the defensive one-half .
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