Bale saves day to send Welsh wild
BELGIUM 0
WALES 0
This was a point celebrated wi ld l y by the 2,600 Wales fans inside the King Baudouin stadium. A shirts off, flag-waving party spurred by trance music blaring from the sound system.
Gareth Bale went topless too, chucking his yellow jersey into the crowd along with Ashley Williams, Aaron Ramsey and others.
Usually such scenes of euphoria are reserved for cup final victories and relegation survivals. Rarely have they been preceded by a 0-0 draw. But it was understandable — Wales had come to the nation ranked fourth in the world, their toughest destination on the road to qualification for Euro 2016, and left with their unbeaten record still intact.
it appeared for a fleeting moment at the death like it was being snatched away, when Christian Benteke’s header was saved by Wayne hennessey and caused havoc in the six-yard area in the sixth-minute of injury time. Axel Witsel got a touch to divert the ball towards the Welsh net but, as it rolled, Bale of all people arrived to clear from danger.
That swing of the boot was just as important as any he has delivered at the other end of the pitch.
The lengthy added time came due to Dries Mertens needing treatment after being knocked out by an accidental collision with George Williams 16 minutes after coming on.
Joe Allen required medical attention earlier in the second half, when Marouane Fellaini led a dangerous forearm into his face.
Lucky for Fellaini the only red came from Allen’s lip, which was still bleeding as the Liverpool player boarded the team coach. he played down the incident, as did his manager.
it will be sore heads of a different kind this morning for those Welsh fans who crossed the Channel.
it really was an immense release of energy from that section of this great bowl of a ground when the final whistle sounded.
The point was secured by totemic defending from captain Ashley Williams and James Chester.
it was by no means a Belgian onslaught, thanks to Allen’s fine work in midfield, and Bale went close with two free-kicks and a trademark run and shot.
Manager Chris Coleman will be pleased, too, about the nous used at certain moments.
‘it’s a fantastic result,’ said Bale. ‘We started a bit slow, but in the second half we showed a bit of character and true courage — that’s massive for us. The fans were incredible.’
his clearance? ‘You have to do those things! We all work for each other.’
Wales now have eight points from four games, the kind of ratio that will get Coleman’s side to France and a first major tournament since 1958.
Bale had the first chance, in the 14th minute, sizing up a free-kick from 25 yards and striking over the wall. Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois sprang to his left to palm wide.
That sparked Belgium’s best period. Eden hazard dribbled through three Wales defenders and brought a good save from hennessey.
The Wales keeper made an even better one minutes later, racing from his line to deny Nacer Chadli.
Nicolas Lombaerts then cracked a shot against the post from a corner and as the ball rebounded it hit Divock Origi and trickled wide.
But in the second half Belgium, World Cup quarter- finalists l ast summer, were subdued for long periods and Wales had the better chances.
Bale made a trademark run down the left and shot from a tight angle. The ball whistled wide. hal RobsonKanu then tested Courtois from range.
‘Belgium have players who can create chances from nothing so we knew we had to ride our luck a little bit,’ said Coleman. ‘But we were stubborn and it was a courageous performance. ‘The momentum is there.’ The challenge now for Wales is to make this result worthwhile and give those supporters something seismic to celebrate.