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Wales Head Coach Craig Bellamy may have been proud of the effort his team showed against Belgium in this World Cup qualifier, but the gulf in class compared to a top side was too much again for the gallant Welsh.
The recent draw between Belgium and North Macedonia had put the Welsh fate firmly in their own hands. The tie would be followed by a trip to minnows Liechtenstein- who narrowly lost away to Montenegro on the day of this game- and a make-or-break clash in Cardiff with North Macedonia. The game was there to be won.
Bellamy made some brave choices for this match. Striker Mark Harris of Oxford United started and Swansea City’s Ben Cabango was selected in central defence. Sorba Thomas would provide pace on the flank. Familiar faces such as Kieffer Moore and Brennan Johnson were on the bench. Ben Davies captained the home side in his 100th international appearance.
The Belgians featured household names such as Thibaut Courtois in goal, skipper Kevin De Bruyne and the lively Jeremy Doku.
A full house took the atmosphere to the skies, as music blared and lights flashed. Flags and banners. And that anthem……
Following a sustained spell of early Welsh pressure with chances for Harris and Cabango, Joe Rodon headed the home side ahead after just seven minutes.
Harry Wilson was enjoying plenty of possession as the nightmare start against England seemed an age away. But his early booking means that he misses the next game.
More bad news soon after as VAR awarded a Belgian penalty for a handball by Ethan Ampadu. De Bruyne blasted it into the corner of the net.
Wales worked hard to maintain their intensity but were rocked on 23 minutes as Thomas Meunier smashed in a glorious drive to put the visitors ahead. A third almost followed courtesy of Arthur Theate as the hosts looked wilted. It was Belgian voices filling the stadium now as a shot from Leonardo Trossard was deflected beyond the goal.
Wales needed a lift here, and quickly.
De Bruyne fired over, showing that he is human after all. Ditto Maxim De Cuyper.
The hosts tried to maintain the intensity, but their play just lacked the fluency of those early moments.
Wales seemed to be relying on the long throw now, but without the height of Moore, we saw little by way of end product. More Belgian chances from their chocolate box of talents.
The lively Wilson curled one past the post on 44 minutes but there was no Welsh toe on hand to poke his cross-cum-shot over the line.
The magic feet of Doku almost created a chance at the very beginning of the second half, then another seconds later. Manchester City have a special talent on their hands for sure.
The Belgians always seemed to have too many men in the way to prevent Wales achieving anything. Johnson replaced Dai Brooks around the hour mark. Meunier was booked for time wasting as the game began to lose its rhythm.
Doku fired at Karl Darlow when put through by De Bruyne. Two wonderful players that it had been a pleasure to watch.
Davies was replaced by Wrexham striker Nathan Broadhead, which may have been tactical, but had followed an injury to the Spurs defender.
Another handball decision saw De Bruyne cooly slot home his second penalty of the evening. The Fat Lady began to clear her throat. 32,803 supporters sensed the inevitable.
Moore and Jay Dasilva made late appearances and it was the persistence of Moore who fed Broadhead, allowing him to give Wales an unlikely late lifeline.
So Belgium simply went up the other end and scored again. Trossard sweeping home as seven minutes of added time began. Doku almost added a fifth as his twinkling toes danced over the lush surface.
Wales had fought but ultimatley struggled against superior opponents. At times, their touch and finesse had also deserted them. It looks like the Play Offs now if they are to reach North America in 2026.
Wales 2
Belgium 4
DAVID COLLINS
WELSH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
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