Summary

  • Romelu Lukaku penalty for Belgium after Mepham fouls Mertens

  • Thorgan Hazard heads Belgium into lead

  • Kevin De Bruyne equalises for Belgium from edge of area

  • Harry Wilson rounds off slick Wales move for opening goal

  • Wales lose midfielder Joe Allen to injury after 8 mins

  • Opening 2022 World Cup qualifier

  1. That's your lotpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT: Belgium 3-1 Wales

    So that's it from us on what was a disappointing night for Wales who played pretty well - really well in patches - and who scored a sensational goal, yet were beaten by a better team.

    This defeat won't be definitive for Wales in World Cup qualifying, which continues on Tuesday against the Czech Republic in Cardiff.

    But before then? A Saturday night friendly with Mexico, in what is likely to be a national night of celebration for Chris Gunter - set to win his 100th cap.

    But that's for then, for now, all that's left is for me to wish you a pleasant evening and a nice rest of the week.

    Thanks for following along and hope you can join us again on Saturday.

    Romelu LukakuImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT: Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Wales captain Gareth Bale told Sky Sports:

    "It was great to get an early goal, it was going well, but a few sloppy mistakes let them back in.

    "We knew they are a great team and obviously when you make mistakes you get punished.

    "In the second half we were in the game for large parts... obviously we are disappointed to lose, but we knew it would be hard coming here and have to take the positives out of the game and take them into the next game.

    "We knew at half-time the next goal would be crucial, if they got it, it makes it very difficult.

    "We showed good spirit, but it wasn't meant to be, so we take the positives out of the game.

    "We can't use the pitch as an excuse, it was the same for both teams.

    "We were playing the number one team in the world, so we can't be too down on ourselves."

    Gareth BaleImage source, Getty Images
  3. Second helpings anyone?published at 22:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    If you'd like to relive the action (if only to see that Harry Wilson goal again) and get more expert analysis, tune in to Match of the Day Wales from 22:45 GMT tonight on BBC One Wales and online here.

  4. Postpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

    It was a fantastic opening goal on the breakaway, but rather than grow confidence Wales lost their way and gave the ball away sloppily and allowed Belgium into the game. As good as Belgium have been, there weren't too many occasions where they broke Wales up. The second and third goals were avoidable. Robert Page will be disappointed with those because Wales have been hard to break down lately.

  5. Postpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT: Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Wales defender Connor Roberts said:

    "It is definitely disappointing, in the second half we had patches where we were on top, we had chances to get crosses in, we didn’t create a whole lot but we looked more than good enough to create. First-half mistakes let the team down and it’s hard to come back from that against a team like Belgium.

    Tonight was a brilliant move from front to back and a good finish from Harry. Unfortunately we couldn't hold on. It was a good goal and a positive to look back on."

    Connor RobertsImage source, Getty Images
  6. Elsewhere in Group E...published at 21:49 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    The Czech Republic, who Wales host in Cardiff on Tuesday, got off to a flyer by winning their opener 6-2 in Estonia.

  7. Postpublished at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Kevin Ratcliffe
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    For 15, 20 minutes, it was looking good for Wales. Things were working their way, Belgium were finding it hard to get space but then Kevin De Bruyne started causing problems. To come out in the second half and press was encouraging, they won't want to play against Wales again. But, at the end of the day, Belgium have that extra bit of quality with one of the best midfielders in the world.

  8. Postpublished at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Fifty-eight international goals in 90 games for Romelu Lukaku.

    Special.

    Romelu Lukaku celebratesImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Tony Pulis
    Former Stoke manager on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Wales can take a lot of positives out of the game, a fantastically worked goal but will be disappointed with the goals they've conceded. Second half they were better, but Belgium have got that quality and their front five are excellent. Wales lost Joe Allen early which was a big blow but the youngsters have done well tonight.

  10. Postpublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    FT Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Rob Phillips
    BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    Wales won't be pushed aside with this defeat but they've slipped to their first defeat in five to the world's number one side.

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    That's it, Wales are beaten. They actually played pretty well, but Belgium were simply too good.

    A measure of revenge for Belgium, the 3-1 scoreline won't be lost on them.

    Stick with us and we'll bring you some reaction shortly.

  12. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 90+1

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Dries Mertens off and Leandro Trossard is on for all of 20 seconds.

  13. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Into stoppage time.

  14. Postpublished at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Vicki Sparks
    BBC commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    They are still driving forward Wales, the fitness levels shown by the players will please Rob Page.

  15. Postpublished at 87 mins

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Dries Mertens curls an effort at goal, but it's easy for Danny Ward.

  16. Postpublished at 85 mins

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Wales try and force some pressure and do win a corner, but Thibaut Courtois is fouled.

  17. Postpublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Kevin Ratcliffe
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    I think Wales have kept Lukaku quite quiet. The 3-1 result isn't a true reflection on how they've played. That third goal is a nail in the coffin really after such good possession second half for Wales. You can't switch off for one minute against a side of this quality.

  18. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 83 mins

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Thorgan Hazard is replaced by Leicester's Timothy Castagne, while Wales pragmatically withdraw Gareth Bale for Kieffer Moore.

    Probably says a lot about Wales' aims for final few minutes.

  19. Frankly why isn't anyone wearing red?published at 21:27 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

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  20. Postpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    Belgium 3-1 Wales

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

    Outstanding defending again from Joe Rodon he's been colossal for Wales. A good strong clearance from the first cross and just enough from Lukaku's second.