SO SUBLIME
Johnson comes off bench to deny De Bruyne and Co
WALES super sub Brennan Johnson rescued a deserved point with a dramatic late equaliser against Belgium.
Trailing to a second-half strike from Belgium’s Leicester ace 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 with two minutes left when Nottingham Forest winger Johnson levelled with a sharp finish.
A share of the spoils was thoroughly warranted by the brave Welsh after they dominated supposedly superior opposition for long spells.
It was the hosts who looked to have taken last night by storm when Ethan Ampadu rocketed in a fourthminute 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 but included in-form Brighton playmaker Leandro Trossard.
And Kevin De Bruyne and Co were equally relieved 10 minutes later as Gareth Bale fired inches wide after Dan James set him up at the near post.
Lightning Leeds forward James gave the Belgium rearguard a real runaround in the opening stages. Shortly after Bale’s miss, James 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 snap-shot over the bar.
Belgium, of course, are too good not to create danger of their own.
And after crocked Joe Allen was replaced by Aaron Ramsey, the visitors almost grabbed an undeserved 40th-minute lead.
Trossard should have buried his chance from eight yards 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 scored with a first-time drive past Hennessey.
That was tough on Wales but they almost levelled six minutes later when Ampadu curled an effort over the bar.
They were not be denied, though, as Johnson smashed home to send the home crowd wild with delight.