WORLD CUP QUALIFIER BELGIUM 3 WALES 1
WILSON’S WONDER GOAL IS FALSE DAWN AS DE BRUYNE TRIGGERS A SWIFT TURNAROUND
HARRY WILSON gave Belgium an early scare before the class of the world’s No1 team shone through.
Wilson fired Wales in front after just 10 minutes as Gareth Bale masterminded a superb passing move.
It sparked dreams of another famous Welsh win over the Belgians after dumping them out of Euro 2016.
But Kevin De Bruyne lashed in a fine leveller from distance and the hosts, who top the FIFA rankings, were ahead by the break from Thorgan Hazard’s header.
It then became a very tough task for Wales in Leuven without the injured duo of Ben Davies and Aaron Ramsey, plus Joe Allen who hobbled off early on here. They showed plenty of guts under caretaker Rob Page. But Romelu Lukaku’s secondhalf penalty sealed the victory in both nations’ opening World Cup qualifier.
Page even opted to withdraw skipper Bale six minutes from time after a quiet second half from their record scorer.
It always looked a stiff test for Wales, especially when veteran midfielder Allen went off with an apparent hamstring injury in just the eighth minute. Yet the visitors then took the lead after a brilliant move down the right.
Wilson found Bale before the skipper picked out Connor Roberts with the outside of his left foot. Bale received the ball back at the top of the box and played in the rampaging Wilson first time to score with a clinical left-footer. It was the on-loan Cardiff star’s fifth goal in 23 internationals.
The superb passing goal stunned Belgium but they soon started to crank up the pressure as Youri Tielemans had a shot blocked.
They had a gilt-edged chance to level in the 17th minute when De Bruyne delivered a deadly inswinging cross. But Lukaku blazed a left-foot finish over from just six yards.
But Manchester City star De Bruyne was devastating from 25 yards out in the 22nd minute to level with a dipping right-foot strike into the bottom corner. Six minutes later the hosts took the lead after Thomas Meunier crossed from the right for Hazard to head in at the back post after Roberts’ costly slip.
After the break, Wales showed good composure and tactical discipline to fight back.
Manchester United winger Dan James screwed a shot wide as the visitors created chances.
But Lukaku killed the game off from the spot in the 73rd minute after Chris Mepham’s wild kick on Dries Mertens.
It was the former Chelsea and United striker’s 58th international goal.
His spot-kick ensured a 13th successive competitive home win for Roberto Martinez’s side.
While Wales’ defeat was their first in 12 competitive games since losing in Hungary.