Wales player ratings as Belgium score seven in Newport
NEWPORT, WALES - 10 OCTOBER 2025: Wales u21's Edward James leaves the field after receiving a red card during the UEFA Under 21 Championship qualifier fixture between Wales & Belgium at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Wales’ U21’s suffered a damning 7-0 defeat at home to Belgium.
Three of the Belgian goals were scored from corner kicks, while there were some moments of brilliance from former Chelsea winger Diego Moreira, as Wales had no answer to what was being put in front of them.
Here’s how we rate the performance of every Wales player who stepped onto the Rodney Parade pitch to take on the Belgians.
WALES U21 PLAYER RATINGS VS. BELGIUM
Lewys Benjamin: 6/10
Could have been a worse score line if it wasn’t for Benjamin in goal. Made some really smart saves, as well as some eye-catching ones, to keep the score down, and was one of the only positives in an otherwise forgettable night.
Archie Harris: 5/10
Defensively, not too much came down Harris’ side, but I’m sure he would have liked to have gotten forward a lot more. If Wales were able to have their full backs fly forward, they could have tested Belgium more. Subbed off at half-time.
Dan Cox: 4/10
A tough night again for Cox. At times he was out of line compared to the rest of the back line, and he just couldn’t get a foot in to stop any of Belgium’s attacks. These first two games have been tough lessons for this young defence.
Ed James: 3/10
Not a night that James will want to remember any time soon. Both yellow cards came out of pure frustration at not being able to contain the Belgian forwards, and the second yellow in particular was needless. A tough start to the campaign for the centre half.
Jonathan Bland: 4/10
A tough half for Brand trying to contain someone like Diego Moreira. He was too tight for the second goal and should have come out to meet Matteo Dams to stop him from crossing the ball, but it wasn’t to be. Subbed off at half time.
Kai Andrews: 4/10
Andrews was incredibly overrun in the midfield tonight. In the first half, he had a couple of loose touches and couldn’t be that link between midfield and attack. In the second half, he couldn’t get involved.
Charlie Crew: 5/10
Captain Crew did show some tenacity in the middle of the park and never stopped running. After the red card he did slot into centre back to try and restrict Belgium, but like many others in red, they could do nothing to stop the Belgian attacks.
Ben Lloyd: 5/10
There were some highlights for Lloyd out wide. In his home ground, he was able to float in at the back stick a couple of times but wasn’t able to test Mike Penders too much in the Belgium goal. Subbed off at half time.
Cameron Congreve: 6/10
In terms of the outfield players, Congreve was by far Wales’ best player. Wasn’t afraid to take on his man and had a couple of really good touches throughout the 90 minutes, but as the game wore on, especially with ten men, Wales couldn’t find Congreve further forward.
Luke Harris: 4/10
Can’t remember Harris getting many, if any, touches on the ball. Clear to see the Welsh attack was coming down the wings rather than through the centre, but Harris really struggled to make an impact on the game. Subbed off 64th minute.
Tanatswa Nyakuhwa: 5/10
The Cardiff City winger was slightly more involved in the contest than Harris, but still wasn’t able to make an impact like he did against Denmark in the opening game of the qualifiers. Had a header on goal in the first half, in what was Wales’ only real chance of the half. Subbed off 64th minute.
Chris Popov: 4/10
Subbed on at half time. Much like Harris, Popov could not do anything to trouble the Belgium defence when he came on. He cut an isolated figure in the striker position, and apart from one brief moment in the box, he didn’t test the defence.
Sam Parker: 5/10
Subbed on at half time. Parker showed some good moments going forward and injected some pace into this side, but his challenge that led to the Belgium penalty was completely unnecessary. However, he certainly added something when he came on.
Luey Giles: 5/10
Subbed on at half time. Similarly to Parker, Giles did add an outlet when going forward, but from a defensive standpoint, just couldn’t stop Belgium. Lost his man at a corner for the fourth goal, but just an all-round poor night for the defence.
Ben Hammond: 4/10
Subbed on 64th minute. Came on right after the red card to try and get something from the game for Wales, but it was too little in all reality. Felt like a real graveyard shift for some of the substitutes.
Freddie Issaka: 4/10
Subbed on 64th minute. Very similar to Hammond. Came on to try and be an outlet and to try and bring some relief to the defence, but because of the way Belgium pressed and the way they attacked, it was impossible for Issaka to make an impact.
Matty Jones: 5/10
Yes, Jones could have set up more defensively, but like Craig Bellamy, he is a manager who wants to try and be on the front foot, no matter the opponent. It’s been a frankly difficult first two games, and it won’t get any easier, so it will be intriguing to see what Jones does going forward.
