KEVIN JUST UN NIABLE
Belgian playmaker puts a halt to Dragons’ flying start
HARRY WILSON gave Belgium an early scare before the class of the world’s No.1 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 boss Rob Page, who has taken the reins with boss Ryan Giggs facing possible police action.
But Romelu Lukaku’s secondhalf penalty sealed the victory in both nations’ opening World Cup qualifier. And 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 experienced midfielder Allen went off with an apparent hamstring injury in just the eighth minute.
Yet, remarkably, the visitors then took the lead after a brilliant move down the right flank.
Wilson found Bale before the Wales skipper picked out Connor Roberts with the outside of his left-foot.
Bale then received the ball back at the top of the box and played in the rampaging Wilson first-time to score with a clinical leftfoot finish.
It was the on-loan Cardiff star’s fifth goal in 23 internationals.
The superb passing goal stunned Belgium and raised hopes of another famous upset against the Red Devils.
But Belgium soon started to cranked up the pressure as Youri Tielemans had a shot blocked from the top of the box. They had a gilt-edged chance to level in the 17th minute when De Bruyne delivered a deadly inswinging cross from the right.
But Lukaku blazed a left-foot finish over the bar from just six yards out.
Manchester City superstar De Bruyne was devastating from 25 yards out in the 22nd minute to level with a dipping right-foot strike into the bottom corner.
And 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.
Dan James screwed a shot wide as the visitors created chances.
But Lukaku killed the game off from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute, after Chris Mepham’s wild kick on Dries Mertens.
It was the former Chelsea and Manchester United striker’s 58th international goal and ensured a 13th successive competitive home win for Roberto Martinez’s side.
Wales’ defeat was their first in 12 competitive games.
BELGIUM (3-4-2-1): Courtois 7; Alderweireld 7, Vermaelen 6 (Denayer 46, 7), Vertonghen 6; Meunier 7, Tielemans 7, Dendoncker 7, T Hazard 7 (Castagne 84); DE BRUYNE 8, Mertens 7 (Trossard 90), Lukaku 7. WALES (3-4-3): Ward 6; Mepham 6, Rodon 8, Lawrence 6; C Roberts 6, Allen 6 (Morrell 8, 6), Ampadu 6, N Williams 6; Bale 7 (Moore 84), Wilson 7 (T Roberts 67, 6), James 6).
REFEREE: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey) 7.