Kevin De Bruyne’s late goal secured a thrilling 4-3 victory for Belgium against Wales, marking Craig Bellamy’s first defeat as manager. This World Cup qualifier was far from the dull encounters the two teams have had over the years and featured dramatic twists and an eventful VAR involvement.
Belgium quickly set the pace, establishing a 3-0 lead within the first half-hour. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring with a penalty after a contentious handball decision against Brennan Johnson, before Youri Tielemans added a second. Jeremy Doku then scored the third with a superb strike, leaving Wales needing to regroup.
Despite Belgium’s dominance, Wales found hope just before halftime when Harry Wilson converted a penalty after a foul by Mats Sels on Chris Mepham. The momentum shifted as Sorba Thomas scored with a powerful finish right after the break, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
In an inspired comeback, Wales equalized when Brennan Johnson scored from close range following a header from Thomas. They looked set to complete a remarkable turnaround as they dominated possession. However, Belgium’s experience shone through when De Bruyne netted the decisive goal, converting a cross from Tielemans just minutes before the final whistle.
The match was punctuated by long VAR checks, adding nearly 14 minutes to the overall game time, which became a point of contention. The checks included Lukaku’s potential goal, which was ruled out after a lengthy review, leading to tension among the home supporters and coaching staff.
Wales’ Thomas reflected on the match, expressing pride in the team’s performance and their fighting spirit, citing their potential for improvement under new management. He emphasized the team’s unity and the desire for revenge in future encounters, particularly when they face Belgium again in Cardiff.
This thrilling encounter showcases the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams, suggesting that Wales has built a solid foundation moving forward, despite the disappointment of the defeat. The next matchup promises to be just as exciting, with the evolving dynamics between these teams.