SIMPLY DE BEST
KEVIN DE BRUYNE produced a masterclass last night for Belgium to dent Wales’ World Cup preparations. Nothing boring about Kev’s masterclass
The Manchester City ace admitted he was “bored” of facing Wales so regularly ahead of his ninth appearance against them.
But he still turned on a thrilling display with a goal and an assist for the Red Devils who showed their class as their golden generation target silverware in Qatar.
Wales were outclassed in the first-half but improved dramatically after the break as Kieffer Moore pulled a goal back in the 50th minute after some great play from Brennan Johnson.
But the defeat means Wales need a win from their final group game at home to Poland to remain in the top tier of the Nations League.
Wales were always up against it in Brussels where they were without the injured quartet of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Harry Wilson and Ben Davies.
Skipper Gareth Bale was also only used as a substitute after jetting in from America on Tuesday.
Belgium gave teenage defender Zeno
Debast his debut, while Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Yannick Carrasco and De Bruyne were all recalled.
And the City ace showed his quality to open the scoring in the 10th minute with a superb first-time finish from the top of the box following Michy Batshuayi’s pass.
Youri Tielemans then missed a great opportunity to double the hosts’ lead four minutes later after his shot from Carrasco’s cross went wide.
De Bruyne then hit the post in the 27th minute before former Chelsea ace Eden Hazard flashed a shot wide.
The hosts finally doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Batshuayi stabbed in his 26th goal in 46 matches.
Wales had to wait until the 40th minute for their first effort on target when Moore’s header troubled Courtois.
Despite Belgium’s dominance, it was the visitors who struck after the break when Nottingham Forest ace Johnson did superbly to get free down the right before standing up a cross to the back post.
It enabled Moore to thunder in a downward header for his ninth international goal.
There was some late drama as referee Ali Palabiyik gave Belgium a penalty but changed his mind after viewing VAR which showed Joe Morrell actually tackled De Bruyne, before Belgium manager Roberto Martinez was sent off for stopping a Wales throw-in in injury time.
BELGIUM (3-4-2-1): Courtois 7; Debast 7, Alderweireld 7, Vertonghen 7; Meunier 7, Tielemans 8 (Vanaken 76), Witsel, Carrasco 7 (Mertens 65,6); DE BRUYNE 9 (De Ketelaere 90), Hazard 8 (Trossard 65, 6), Batshuayi 8 (Openda 65, 6). WALES (3-4-2-1): Hennessey 7; Mepham 6, Rodon 6, Norrington-Davies 6 (T Roberts 84); C Roberts 6, Ampadu 5, Smith 5 (Morrell 64, 6), N Williams 7; Johnson 7, James 6; Moore 7 (Bale 64, 7).
REFEREE: Ali Palabiyik (Turkey).