Belgium 4-3 Wales: Visitors suffer first loss under Bellamy in thrilling Brussels clash | OneFootball

It was a dramatic affair in Brussels, with Belgium’s late winner securing a huge three points for Rudi Garcia’s side in their second FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture seeing them move to within two points of their opponents.

Craig Bellamy suffered his first defeat as Wales boss, after going unbeaten in nine, but his side could be credited for their performance and fight. Belgium looked to be cruising to victory after scoring three goals inside 30 minutes, thanks to Romelu Lukaku converting his penalty, a ruthless finish from Youri Tielemans and a beauty of a strike from Jeremy Doku. However goals either side of half-time from Belgium saw Bellamy’s side reduce the deficit to one goal.

The equalising moment for Wales came in the 69th minute when Brennan Johnson headed in, however Belgium weren’t prepared to settle for a draw after their earlier position in the game, having one disallowed before De Bruyne’s back-post finish secured late victory for Belgium.

Goals, VAR controversy, the most unlikely of comebacks, a late winner – this game truly had it all.

As it happened

With Belgium looking to prove a point after drawing to North Macedonia last time out, Rudi Garcia’s side started on the front foot, enjoying a healthy spell off the ball in the opening stages.

In the 11th minute, Belgium had the opportunity to add a goal to their bright start, after the referee pointed to the spot. Kevin De Bruyne’s effort appeared to strike the arm of Brennan Johnson, with a lengthy VAR check confirming the on-field decision. Romelu Lukaku made no mistake from 12 yards out, coolly slotting it into the bottom left corner to give Belgium the lead.

It took just four minutes for Belgium to add their second inside 20 minutes, with Youri Tielemans finding the back of the net. It was swift move from The Red Devils, which deserved the final finish. Maxim De Cuyper found space down the left-hand side, pulling it back to the Aston Villa man, who’s brilliant first time finish found the top corner.

Jeremy Doku got his name on the scoresheet and looked to have put Wales out of sight after just 28 minutes. It was yet another quality finish, this time with the Manchester City winger cutting in from the right-hand side, patiently waiting for the space to open up, before bending one beautifully into the far corner to make it three.

However, late drama at the end of the first period saw Wales given a golden opportunity to pull one back and reduce the deficit. A second penalty of the night was awarded, after Selz’s collided with Chris Mepham from a corner. Harry Wilson gave the visitors a lifeline, firing down the middle to make it 3-1 on the brink of half-time. It was an entertaining half of football to say the least, with Belgium taking a warranted lead into the break.

The second half started as the first had finished: a game you just couldn’t take your eyes off. Despite the complete dominance from Belgium in the first half, Wales fought back and a huge goal from Sorba Thomas – his first at senior international level – saw Craig Bellamy’s side reduce the deficit further Belgium. Wilson was at the heart of the Wales attack once again, this time becoming the provider, as his clever switch found Thomas, who set himself before calmly slotting it past Selz to make it 3-2.

In the 69th minute, Wales completed the most unlikely of comebacks, and it was Tottenham’s UEFA Europa League hero, Brennan Johnson, who fired in Wales’ third of the night to stun the hosts. Wilson’s beautifully weighted cross found Thomas at the back post, whose header across the face of goal was met by Johnson to level the scoring.

It had looked like it was game over after half an hour, but Wales deserved huge credit for the fight they showed to comeback, in what looked like an impossible mountain to climb. However, there was yet another twist in the tail for this game.

Belgium thought they regained the lead, after another superb move from The Red Devils. Doku starred once again as he found Lukaku in the box, who took a touch before smashing it home. A lengthy check from VAR saw the goal chalked off though, with Lukaku denied a second as the ball trickled just out of play in the build-up.

The disallowed goal saw Belgium fired up to grab a late winner, and they did so via De Bruyne. A delicious ball from Tielemans was met by the completely unmarked De Bruyne at the far post, firing in to make it 4-3 in Brussels.

It was a heartbreaking moment for Wales, who looked to have done enough to earn a point, yet Belgium showed great resilience to find a winner after having one disallowed. After eight minutes of additional time, despite Wales’ push for an equaliser, the hosts were able to hold on to a crucial three points to conclude a dramatic night and one that would be looked back on as a classic.

The lineups:

BEL: Sels: Meunier, Faes, Debast, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Onana; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku.