Wales automatic qualification hopes all but over

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Wales 2 - 4 Belgium 

Wales’ hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup were all but extinguished after a home defeat to Belgium.

Author | Stephen Chad

Stadium | Cardiff City Stadium

The defeat leaves the play-offs as their only realistic path to next summer’s finals.

Craig Bellamy’s side made a superb start, taking the lead in the seventh minute when Joe Rodon rose highest to head in from a corner. Their early momentum was halted when Kevin De Bruyne equalised from the penalty spot after a harsh handball decision against Ethan Ampadu, confirmed following a lengthy VAR check.

World Cup Qualifying | Wales v Belgium | View from the stands
Wales fought to get back in the game

From that point, Belgium’s superiority began to show. Jeremy Doku, who has been in outstanding form for Manchester City this season, tormented Wales on the counterattack and set up Thomas Meunier to put the visitors in front.

De Bruyne, Doku and Leandro Trossard all missed chances to extend the lead before another De Bruyne penalty, this time for a clear handball by Jordan James, effectively decided the match.

Nathan Broadhead’s powerful strike briefly offered Wales hope of a comeback, but that was quickly ended when Trossard restored Belgium’s two-goal advantage soon after.

Belgium eventually show their class and experience 

They may no longer possess the dominance that kept them top of the world rankings for three years after finishing third at the 2018 World Cup, but Belgium remain a heavyweight of European football, blessed with an array of attacking talent.

For all their quality in forward areas, Rudi Garcia’s side remain prone to lapses at the back, as shown in their chaotic 4-3 victory over Wales in Brussels in June. Those same traits were evident again at Cardiff City Stadium. Shaken by a ferocious Welsh start, they looked vulnerable in the opening 15 minutes before responding with ruthless efficiency on the counterattack to seize control of the contest.

World Cup Qualifying | Wales v Belgium | View from the away end

Belgium’s equaliser owed much to fortune, arriving against the run of play when Thomas Meunier’s strike struck Ethan Ampadu’s hand from close range. VAR official Pascal Muller advised referee Daniel Siebert to review the incident, and the inevitable penalty allowed Kevin De Bruyne to level. From that moment, the visitors looked the stronger side.

Wales, as under Craig Bellamy, sought to press high and play on the front foot, yet their eagerness to attack left them dangerously exposed. Vast spaces opened up in behind, and their defenders struggled to cope, particularly with the electric Jeremy Doku.

READ MORE  |  World Cup Qualifying News and Stories

Given freedom to surge down the right, Doku repeatedly stretched the Welsh back line, setting up Meunier for Belgium’s first goal and leaving Ben Cabango and Ben Davies chasing shadows, the latter enduring a difficult night on his 100th international appearance.

Belgium’s victory extended their remarkable unbeaten run in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers to 46 matches.

A fantastic game of football

That was the view of David Sampson, a Welsh fan, who told us: “A fantastic game of football and one where we came up just short. A few players didn’t play at their usual level, but we still deserved a little bit more. Onwards and upwards.”

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