Wales’ 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign began with a 3-1 defeat to Belgium.
Harry Wilson’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Kevin De Bruyne before a Thorgan Hazard header gave the Red Devils a first-half lead. Romelu Lukaku later added to the scoring with a penalty in the second-half.
Rob Page’s team selection raised some eyebrows with Danny Ward rewarded for his Nations League form, keeping the fit again Hennessey out of goal. Kieffer Moore was relegated to the bench, with Gareth Bale playing as striker and Moore’s Cardiff team mate Harry Wilson slotting into Bale’s usual position.
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The opening exchanges saw the two sides taking their time to feel their opponents out, patiently moving the ball about with little incision.
Wales were forced into an early change with Joe Allen left feeling the back on his leg with no apparent contact and he was replaced by Joe Morrell. It was seven minutes into the Stoke midfielder’s come back from nearly a year out with a ruptured Achilles tendon and an unwelcome addition to the squad’s injury list.
Minutes later, a beautiful move started and finished with Harry Wilson. He picked the ball up on the half way line before slipping to Bale, who played a one two with Connor Roberts before feeding Wilson who stroked the ball passed Courtois to give Wales the lead.
Belgium had a golden opportunity to level when De Bruyne laid it on a plate for Lukaku but the Inter man blazed over from inside the six yard box.
The Manchester City midfielder took matters into his own hands five minutes later, firing a dipping shot from well outside the box, past Danny Ward to draw level.
A slip from Connor Roberts gave Thorgan Hazard space to head in Thomas Meunier’s cross to turn the game on its head.
For the remainder of the first half, Wales seemed content to sit of Belgium and look to catch them on the break, but the Red Devils high pressing game broke up any momentum Wales could muster with what little possession they were afforded. For all the ball Belgium had, they were restricted to a couple of long range shots that didn’t bother Ward’s goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesWales looked totally rejuvenated in the second period, playing Belgium at their own game of forwards pressing defenders into mistakes high up the pitch. Belgium, for their part, played the role Wales did in the first half and patiently allowed them to come at them before stifling them at the back.
A half chance fell to Gareth Bale two minutes into the half but his overhead kick bounced harmlessly wide.
Dan James had the chance to run at the defence. With Bale and Wilson in support, he elected to go for his trademark shot into the far too corner, but the ball went agonisingly the wrong side of Courtois’ post.
For all the possession and more direct play, Wales struggled to create clear cut chances against a well marshalled defence and the next opportunity felt to De Bruyne on the edge of the box but the shot fizzed just wide of the goal.
Goalscorer Harry Wilson made way from Tyler Roberts to add fresh legs in attack but minutes later Chris Mepham’s high tackle on Dries Mertens saw the referee point to the spot. Lukaku stepped up and sent Ward the wrong way to tie up the points for Belgium and avenge the Euro 2016 scoreline in the process.
You have to go back eight years to the last time Wales conceded more than two goals in a competitive fixture, when they lost 6-1 to Serbia in 2013, and this was the side’s first competitive defeat in eleven games.
Wales return to Cardiff on Saturday for a friendly match against Mexico, before hosting Czech Republic on Tuesday, who won their opening game 6-2 against Estonia.
You can follow live updates of the action in Belgium via our live blog below:
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