HERO BRENNAN RESCUES DRAW
SUPER sub Brennan Johnson rescued a point with a dramatic late equaliser for Wales.
Trailing to a second-half strike from Belgium’s Youri Tielemans, Robert Page’s Red Dragons were heading for a third straight Nations League defeat.
But that gloomy picture in Group A4 all changed when Johnson levelled with a sharp finish.
A share of the spoils was thoroughly warranted as they dominated supposedly better opposition for long spells.
If Wales have been feeling on top of the world ever since last Sunday’s World Cup play-off triumph, Belgium arrived here no longer at the summit of football.
Defeat to the eventual winners at both Russia 2018 and last summer’s Euros had finally removed them from No.1 spot in the FIFA rankings.
This was a clash that neither country seemed too keen on.
Pre-match, Wales skipper Gareth Bale had moaned about playing five games in barely two weeks and Kevin De Bruyne said he would rather be on holiday.
Their managers were not listening, though. Both men started in Cardiff in the latest instalment between two teams that had met here last November in a 1-1 draw.
It was the hosts who looked to have taken last night by storm when Ethan Ampadu rocketed in a fourth-minute bullet from the edge of the area – only for VAR to disallow it for offside in the build-up.
What a let-off that was for Belgium, who were without injured Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
And De Bruyne and Co were equally relieved 10 minutes later as Bale fired inches wide after Dan James set him up at the near post. Lightning Leeds forward James gave the Belgium defence a runaround in the opening stages.
He tested reserve keeper Koen Casteels with a sharp shot from an acute angle.
And twice in the final few minutes of the half Connor Roberts went close – with a header and shot over the bar.
Belgium, of course, are too good not to create danger of their own and they almost grabbed an undeserved 40th-minute lead.
Leandro Trossard should have buried his chance from eight yards out but, with Wayne
Hennessy’s net gaping, he miscued wide.
That was a clear warning the second period was unlikely to be as one-sided or comfortable for Page’s troops. So it proved.
For within six minutes of the restart Belgium were ahead following a sweeping passing move that culminated in Trossard finding Tielemans and he calmly slotted home.
It was tough on Wales but they almost levelled when Ampadu curled over the bar.
They were not be denied, though, as Johnson smashed home to send a capacity crowd wild with
delight.