No disgrace in defeat as lively Wales make Belgium battle hard
WALES began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a defeat to world No. 1 side Belgium despite Harry Wilson’s superb opener.
Wilson, preferred in the false 9 role ahead of regular striker Kieffer Moore, was on hand to give his side an early lead, sweeping home after a superb move inspired by in-form captain Gareth Bale.
Bale was one of two Welsh survivors from the last meeting between these two sides at Euro 2016, a night that remains Welsh football’s finest hour. But there was to be no repeat of that fairytale result against a team that has recovered to march its way to the top of the world rankings.
Kevin De Bruyne fired the hosts level with a thundering drive midway through the first half, before Thorgan Hazard’s header handed them a deserved lead.
Wales battled bravely, but any hopes of claiming something evaporated when Chris Mepham cut Dries Mertens down in the penalty area.
Romelu Lukaku duly stepped up to net his 58th goal in 90 international games. Remarkably, it was Belgium’s first win over Wales in just over eight years, although there is certainly plenty of reason for encouragement for the Dragons, who were once again led by Rob Page in the absence of boss Ryan Giggs.
Wales weren’t helped by injuries to the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies before this clash, and the early loss of Joe Allen, back in the starting line-up for the first time in nearly two years, will be a huge concern.
It’s been a long way back for the Stoke City midfielder, who had been talking up his hopes of finally reaching a World Cup this week, admitting this could well be his last chance to take his place on football’s greatest stage.
However, after seven otherwise subdued minutes, his night was over.
A suspected hamstring injury sparked understandable concern on the bench, and among his teammates, and it became clear quickly that he wasn’t able to continue.
But Wales, to their credit, bounced back in superb fashion.
Indeed, their opening goal, three minutes later, was a moment of pure unadulterated quality, with the skipper at the heart of it.
After a wonderful one-two with Connor Roberts out wide, Bale’s stunning through-ball was pounced upon by Wilson, who calmly swept home.
Belgium’s world-class attacking talents had rightly, and persistently, been talked up throughout the buildup this clash, but this was strike that would have been befitting of any world-class team.
But the loss of Allen wasn’t entirely forgotten. Wales lacked bite in the middle of the park and frequently gave Belgium’s galaxy of stars far too much space in which to express themselves.
Lukaku, who had netted 40 of the 153 Belgium goals under Roberto Martinez, should have levelled a few minutes later but somehow conspired to fire over the bar from close range following a fizzed De Bruyne cross.
Joe Rodon and James Lawrence both put their bodies on the line brilliantly moments later to keep the Belgians at bay, but the hosts deservedly restored parity on 23 minutes as De Bruyne, who was given too much space on the edge of the area, drove home into the bottom left corner of Danny Ward’s net.
It wasn’t difficult to sense the relief among the hosts. The Belgian press had made little effort to hide just how deep the scars of Lille still run when penning their previews, but will have surely been impressed by how the hosts started to turn to the screw.
Six minutes after hauling themselves level, they were in front.
The otherwise excellent Neco Williams gave far too much space on the right flank for Thomas Meunier to get a cross away, and after marker Connor Roberts unfortunately slipped at the wrong time, Hazard was there to head home.
To think his older brother Eden wasn’t missed too much goes to show the frightening level of quality in the
Red Devils’ ranks.
Nevertheless, the character shown by the visitors will be a big positive for Page ahead of next week’s clash with the Czech Republic, thumping 6-2 winners away to Estonia last night.
Wales refused to throw in the towel, with Bale unable to get a proper connection on a spectacular overhead kick, before Daniel James fired over the bar after cutting in from the left.
But Belgium made sure of the points 17 minutes from time after Mepham clipped Mertens after Ward had palmed away a cross. Lukaku made no mistake from the spot.
How Wales respond will be crucial in setting the tone for this World Cup qualifying campaign.
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen (Denayer 45), Vertonghen (capt); Meunier, De Bruyne, Dendoncker, Tielemans; Mertens (Trossard 90), Lukaku, T Hazard.
Subs not used: Mignolet, Casteels, Foket, Vanaken, Januzaj, Praet, Benteke, Castagne, Doku, Batshuayi
Wales: Ward; Mepham, Lawrence, Rodon; C Roberts, Wilson (T Roberts 66), Allen (Morrell 7), Ampadu, N Williams; James, Bale (capt).
Subs not used: Hennessey, Davies, Gunter, Cabango, J Williams, Robsonkanu, Moore, Norrington-davies, Smith, Lawrence.