Home comforts
Welsh secure Cardiff play-off... ruling out Scots clash
KIEFFER MOORE boosted Wales’ chances of reaching their first World Cup since 1958 with a priceless goal that ensures at least one home tie in next year’s play-offs.
Moore’s strike also means there will also be no all-British clash against Scotland at Hampden Park in the semi-final when the draw is made later this month.
Rob Page’s team will — at least initially — dodge European champions Italy and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the race to reach Qatar 2022, though they could meet either of those teams if they win their play-off semi-final.
Kevin De Bruyne had given Belgium the lead in the 12th minute and had there been no more goals, Wales would have been away from home in the semi-finals. But Moore’s equaliser 20 minutes later guaranteed they will have at least one game in front of this passionate Cardiff crowd.
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey was delighted for the home support afterwards, saying: ‘It’s massive. Full credit to the boys, they put in a massive shift again against top opposition.
‘We always believed we could get a result, especially with our fans behind us.
‘There’s some big, big teams still in it but it was so important that we had a home tie. You could see the atmosphere tonight — it’s a special place to come and play. Hopefully, that will give us an extra edge in that first play-off.’
After winning his 100th cap in the 5-1 win over Belarus on Saturday, Gareth Bale was ruled unfit for this game, while already-qualified Belgium were without Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans.
Divock Origi had already tested Danny Ward from distance by the time De Bruyne gave Belgium the lead. Axel Witsel’s volley was blocked but the ball fell perfectly for the Manchester City star, who produced a sublime finish that gave Ward no chance.
The home side were thankful that De Bruyne’s radar was not working quite as well in the 25th minute, when he blasted high and wide from distance.
For all their impressive build-up play, Belgium looked uncertain at the back. Former Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata’s slip let in Moore — and Thomas Meunier had to head the cross behind. Then another error handed Wales their equaliser.
When the erratic Boyata’s poor clearance fell to Dan James, Witsel’s slight touch on the cross meant Arthur Theate miskicked, allowing Moore to control and drill home from eight yards.
Wales had a lucky escape five minutes before the break when De Bruyne lifted a free-kick to Thorgan Hazard on the edge of the penalty area, where the Borussia Dortmund player connected perfectly with a volley, only to see it hit the post. In first-half stoppage time, Moore shot just over the crossbar.
Belgium’s second-string defence continued to demonstrate why Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen remain in the squad despite being well past their best.
Five minutes after the break, another Boyata stumble let in James. He rolled the ball across the area only for the unmarked Connor Roberts to slice wide.
There were two delays for head injuries in the second half, first when team-mates Ramsey and Neco Williams collided, and then when Moore and Boyata contested a Belgium corner. All four players were cleared to resume the match.
Williams could have won it for Wales late on when his swerving effort forced a fine save from Koen Casteels. Six minutes of injury time were added as Wales fell back and Belgium pressed but the home side held on.