Despite the misery of losing 4-2 tonight Wales fought as hard as they could in a superb effort to win this game. They had the chances to win, the big moments went against them but when you look at this game and those to come you have to have faith that this team will be at next years World Cup.

Wales had a dream start in tonight’s World Cup Qualifier and this after two chances which could have put Wales ahead well before the eighth minute. First Mark Harris side footed a chance just past the post and then on the opposite side of the goal whilst Wales were claiming a penalty the ball hit Maxim De Cuype who looked to have fouled David Brooks. The ball rolling again agonisingly past the wrong side of the post. When the goal did come for Wales it was clinical from Ex Swan, Joe Rodon (below) Rising to meet a Sorba Thomas corner he headed downwards text book style beating Courtois easily. The Real Madrid keeper had no chance.

There was a pause for an offside check, why we will never know.

On eighteen minutes Kevin de Bruyne slotted away a penalty for the equaliser after an agonising wait for VAR to confirm that Ethan Ampadu had hand-balled in the Wales area. Of course without VAR that wouldn’t have counted as the referee clearly didn’t see the infringement. Karl Darlow had little chance diving the wrong way as Kevin de Bruyne levelled. It was evident that the Wales left hand side was being exposed on the run up to half time, Doku and Ketelaere making good of the openings that were being made.

Craig Bellamy also earned himself a yellow card for hotly disputing the penalty call. The Belgian manager, Rudi Garcia would join him in the second half.

The game was turned upside down on thirty five minutes when a long range cross field pass was somehow kept in by Doku on the Wales left. He slide ruled a pass to Thomas Meunier who met the pass fiercely firing the ball beyond Darlow into the roof of the home sides net. Wales were not deterred, they had numerous chances to equalise as the half drew to a close. Harry Wilson having the best opportunity looking offside (he wasn’t) he hit his shot across the path of Courtois with no red shirt available to touch the opportunity home. Brooks was just too short to a decent Thomas cross, and the bother which Wales were causing Belgium meant we were in for a roller coaster second half.

The first five minutes of the second half saw some wonderful skill from Doku and a shot curling just over Darlow bar. Then Kevin de Bruyne also worried the Wales goal with an effort. When Wales did get forwards in these early stages they were a bit too slow in possession but they persisted. Davies was making breaks forwards shortly after picking up a yellow card on his one hundredth appearance. Harry Wilson was pressing more and it has to be said the ever willing Mark Harris was not disappointing. His shot on fifty five minutes was blocked. As was a Jordan James effort in the next move.

They just had to get their composure and passing together.

Sorba Thimas was always available causing issues on the Wales left - as David Brooks left the field on fifty eight minutes for Brennan Johnson, this was a game for him to stamp his class on it. Theatrics then started from Belgium with Onana cheating his way to a stoppage throwing himself to the ground with no contact made. The referee was beginning to look out of his depth. Next was De Bruyne, now allegedly made of glass the referee again falling for his acting. Belgium were under pressure and were now deceiving and cheating their way into the last half an hour of this game.

The threat was still there from Doku firing in a low shot which Darlow saved, the pressure in the Wales defence very evident. On sixty ninety minutes Ben Davies (below) went down injured as Onana left the pitch having secured a bit part in Casualty at Christmas, sadly Davies left proceedings and Da Silva replaced him.

On seventy three minutes Jordan James purposely handled the ball in his own area, it was so obvious the referee didn’t have to think about a penalty award. A VAR check wasn’t needed but it was done and there was no get out clause for this one. Again De Bruyne stepped up and placed the ball this time to Darlow’s left who was inches away from saving it.

That was 3-1 to the visitors with fourteen minutes remaining. Wales were staring at a possible play off game but even then they were now in must win territory over the next two games. It was disappointing after the way Wales started this game, they were now defending well into their area as player of the match, Doku eked out another chance. Wales were running into cul de sacs until Thomas again put in another cross which just missed the head of the impressive Harris and the on rushing Wilson. You were getting the feeling things were now drifting away from Wales.

It wouldn’t be Wales v Belgium if there wasn’t at least six goals in this fixture. The final minutes saw Wales with hope. Wrexham combo Kieffer Moore and Nathan Broadhead linked for a sweet goal, Broadhead firing home from just inside the area. That was 2-3 on the night but it was short lived hope. Belgium almost immediately attacked from the kick off pressing Wales. A move with an overload saw Belgium ease themselves away again when Trossard was the extra man to score number four. Even then Wales almost pulled another back when Thomas put a pin point cross in for Moore who just missed the ball. That summed up the night really, missed chances that really do need to be taken against a side of Belgiums class. Right to the end Wales pressed, even when seven minutes of injury time had been played Wilson was there battling and winning a dangerous free kick on the edge of the visitors area.

It was maybe an expected result, the loss was hard to take for those Wales players who had pushed themselves to the very limits of their ability. It wasn’t a shame for those Cardiff City players picked in this squad, Bellamy had to go with experience this evening and with what he knew, he really couldn’t do anything else. Selecting players from the third tier of English football in a squad for the experience is one thing, playing them against world class opposition is another. Bellamy would have been criticised to hell and back if he had appeased certain quarters by playing them. In fact it would have been more fuel to those who seem to think their football prowess extends to Bellamy’s future on social media. It was as good as we could expect from Wales this evening. Special mention to Ben Cabango who didn’t put a foot wrong all evening as he earned his fifteenth cap. There’s still two games to go, and they have to be won. It really is as simple as that for a chance of reaching the play off system in March. Kazakhstan took a point off North Macedonia tonight. The table is below.

Wales have a game in hand that’s Liechtenstein away next month. They have to win that. If they do they are level on points with North Macedonia going into the the final game in Cardiff again next month. It’s still possible to qualify for the World Cup in 2026. It’s just so much bloody harder now.

Photographs : tag:reuters.com,2025:newsml_MT1BELGA136703629:1433853553 & MT1BELGA136703629 & MT1BELGA136703629. Licensed from Reuters no reproduction.