Kieffer Moore goal not enough as Cymru go down fighting to Belgium

Cymru were defeated 2-1 by Belgium in Brussels in the penultimate game of the Nations League, and now face Poland on Sunday in a fight to stay in League A.

This was a dictionary definition of a game of two halves. A Kevin De Bruyne masterclass put Belgium ahead at the break, as he scored and assisted Michy Batshuayi. But Wales woke up in the second half as Kieffer Moore headed in a cross from Brennan Johnson, but Wales left empty handed.

It all means that if Wales beat Poland on Sunday at the Cardiff City Stadium, they will compete with Europe’s elite in the next edition of the Nations League.

It was a good start from Wales who zipped the ball about early on. Brennan Johnson had a chance to get a cross into Kieffer Moore, but he couldn’t keep the cross down and the ball ran out of play.

Belgium did grow into the game quickly and found themselves ahead in the tenth minute. Some quick passing around the midfield ended in the ball being released to Michy Batshuayi down the wing. He took on Joe Rodon before passing it to Kevin De Bruyne on the edge of the area, who picked his spot beautifully in the bottom corner to put the Red Devils ahead.

The hosts were looking to turn the screw quickly and had chances to double their lead. Firstly, Yannick Carrasco mesmerised Connor Roberts with his trickery, but Youri Tielemens couldn’t turn in his cross. Batshuayi then had two chances, but a poor shot from him and an excellent block from Rhys Norrington-Davies stopped him.

De Bruyne claimed he was bored of playing Wales in the build-up to the game, but he was certainly switched on this half, and he struck the post in the 25^th minute, and Wales needed to just keep possession and work their way back into this game.

But this Belgium team were not in the mood to ease off, and they made it two eight minutes from time. Full back Thomas Meunier had tremendous vision to play in De Bruyne in the box, and his cross into the six-yard box found Batshuayi, who stuck out his foot to score in one of the easiest goals he’ll score in his career.

Wales refused to lie down, and they had their first chance five minutes from time. A free kick from deep was floated into the box and onto the head of Rodon, but his effort was blocked. Ethan Ampadu then headed back towards goal, but Thibaut Courtois did well to stop the Spezia man from scoring.

De Bruyne certainly wasn’t done this half, and he was through on goal once more in the first half, but captain for the evening Wayne Hennessey stuck out a leg and produced a good save to keep the deficit at two.

A half chance fell to Norrington-Davies on the stroke of halftime, but he couldn’t convert, and Wales went into the break behind.

Rob Page must’ve had stern words at half-time with his team, and they came out with a different attitude and got a goal back five minutes into the second half.

Johnson down the wing took on Axel Witsel and managed to create space for a cross, and there was Moore at the back stick, who rose like a salmon over Zeno Debast to get one back for Cymru.

Twelve minutes to go and Joe Morrell put in an excellent challenge on De Bruyne, but to the shock of Welsh fans in the stadium and across the country, the Turkish referee gave a penalty. Thankfully, VAR aided the referee to rule out the penalty, and Wales could push again for that equaliser.

Half chances fell to Johnson and Neco Williams, but it just wasn’t to be, and Wales left Brussels defeated.

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Chris Mepham and Ethan Ampadu will be suspended for the visit of Poland on Sunday, as Wales fight to stay in League A of the Nations League.

Player of the Match: Brennan Johnson

He simply has to start in the first game of the World Cup. There’s this electric energy about him, something we perhaps haven’t seen since Bale made his way into the team. When we needed someone to take the game to Belgium, it came through Johnson, and he will be such a catalyst for us in the future

Cymru

Wayne Hennessey (GK) ©, Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Rhys Norrington-Davies (Tyler Roberts, 84’), Neco Williams, Matt Smith (Joe Morrell, 64’), Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore (Gareth Bale, 65’)

Unused Subs: Danny Ward (GK), Tom King (GK), Chris Gunter, Ben Cabango, Dylan Levitt, Jonny Williams, Mark Harris, Sorba Thomas, Luke Harris

Goals: Kieffer Moore (50’)

Yellow Cards: Chris Mepham (49’), Ethan Ampadu (59’), Gareth Bale (78’)

Belgium

Thibaut Courtois (GK), Thomas Meunier, Zeno Debast, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Yannick Carrasco (Dries Mertens, 65’), Youri Tielemens (Hans Vanaken, 75’), Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne (Charles De Ketalaere, 90’), Eden Hazard © (Leandro Trossard, 65’), Michy Batshuayi (Lois Openda, 65’)

Unused Subs: Simon Mignolet (GK), Koen Casteels (GK), Arthur Theate, Amadou Onana, Leander Dendoncker, Timothy Castagne, Alexis Saelemaekers

Goals: Kevin de Bruyne (11’), Michy Batshuayi (38’)

Red Cards: Roberto Martinez (90’)

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)