Moore nets crucial equaliser as Wales secure home play-off tie with Belgium draw

Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium to secure home advantage in their World Cup play-off semifinal.

Kevin De Bruyne silenced a noisy Cardiff crowd inside 12 minutes, but Kieffer Moore equalised before half-time to give Wales the point they craved.

Already guaranteed a playoff spot through their Nations League results, Wales were determined to secure a home tie in March by finishing second in Group E.

The point was enough to finish above the Czech Republic and take their place alongside Scotland among the six seeded teams in the play-offs.

Turkey needed to win by four goals in Montenegro to deny

Wales a home tie, but could only manage a 2-1 victory.

Divock Origi gave Wales a warning from 25 yards before Belgium went ahead through a sweet De Bruyne strike.

Axel Witsel’s shot was blocked after some pinball in the Wales penalty area and Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne wasted no time finding the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Belgium’s possession football was breathtaking at times, limiting to Wales just 28 per cent of the ball, with De Bruyne at the heart of it in a false nine role.

But the hosts equalised with their first shot of the game after 32 minutes as Ben Davies foundthespeedydanieljames down the left. The Leeds winger’s first cross was blocked but Arthur Theate made a hash of his second effort and Moore worked the ball on to his right foot to score his eighth Wales goal.

Belgium almost reclaimed the lead when Thorgan Hazard lashed a volley against the far post.

Wales started the second period on the front foot and Morrell gave Koen Casteels some catching practice.

Belgium made several substitutions and it seemed to hinder their fluency with Wales now asking questions.

Moore’s shot was blocked and Belgium were starting to creak down their right where James and Neco Williams attacked at every opportunity. Williams cut inside substitute Leander Dendoncker 25 yards out to to force a flying save from Casteels and Wales held on in a pulsating finale.