Summary

  • Belgium beat Wales despite spirited second-half fight from Rob Page's men

  • Kevin De Bruyne gives Belgium the lead against the run of play after 10 minutes

  • The Manchester City midfielder sets up Michy Batshuayi for the second, a simple tap in finish

  • Kieffer Moore heads Wales back into the game from Brennan Johnson's cross

  1. That's all from Brusselspublished at 22:01 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    So that's all from Brussels on a night where Wales could have been given an absolute battering, but ended up probably happy enough with a battling 2-1 defeat, especially with so many key players missing.

    Wales have it in their own hands to retain their status in the top tier of the Nations League and they'd have taken that before tonight.

    Bigger picture, it's also another example of Wales showing they can compete with a really good side.

    Thanks for joining us and I trust we will see you again on Sunday when Poland visit the Cardiff City Stadium.

    Nos da.

    Wales celebrate Kieffer Moore's goalImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'We take positives and go again' - Moorepublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Wales goalscorer Kieffer Moore told BBC Radio Wales: "It was always going to be a hard game. They were very good tonight.

    "We come away not so much disappointed - we will take positives out of it and go again on Sunday.

    "A win keeps us in the group so it's full focus on Poland.

    "I think we are in a good place, it's our last home game before going to the World Cup so if we can leave on a high then great."

    Kieffer Moore celebrates goalImage source, Getty Images
  3. VAR rules 'stupid' - De Bruynepublished at 21:54 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne told S4C: "I think we fully deserved to win, we dominated the first half and created a lot of chances.

    "Wales were playing man to man so there were more options in the first half.

    "Then we started the second half poorly, we have to keep the ball as Wales were playing so deep and wait for the right moments."

    Asked about Belgium's penalty shout, De Bruyne said: "I was already running to the corner, the rules are so stupid though, it should then be a corner."

    Kevin de BruyneImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

    Brennan Johnson has to play [at the World Cup]. He has worked his way into the starting XI.

    I thought he was outstanding today.

    He starts against the USA for me. He gives you that counter-attacking threat. He reminds a bit of what Gareth Bale used to be - he can pick the ball up in deep areas and go past players.

    He allows you to sit deep because you have that counter-attacking threat.

  5. Wales 'did ourselves proud' - Johnsonpublished at 21:50 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Wales forward Brennan Johnson told S4C: "It was game of two halves, in the first we lacked belief and didn't know what we could bring to the game.

    "In the second half we had a different mentality and did ourselves proud.

    "When the big guy [Kieffer Moore] is up top you have to hang it up for him, he did the rest.

    "Rob [Page] told us to belief in ourselves at half time, we're in a World Cup and Nations League's Group A, we showed that in the second half.

    "It's a massive game on Sunday [against Poland], we want to be in this league and play the best teams in the world.

    "We'll be ready for it."

    Brennan Johnson cross for goalImage source, Getty Images
  6. Postpublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    Some of the changes were glaringly obvious in the first half - I don't understand why Dan James was playing so inverted.

    Those changes could have been made first half. I think we were caught in two minds. The front three were pressing and behind them there was all sorts going on.

    Rob Page made the changes at half-time - I just think we were a little slow making them.

    Second half we kept the ball much better, played a deep defensive block and the goal came from a fantastic counter-attack.

    Brennan Johnson can catch pigeons and Kieffer Moore buried it.

    It was a game of two halves. Wales are still in with a shout of staying in League A.

  7. Postpublished at 21:48 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    So tonight's results keeps Wales' fate in their own hands, Nations League-wise.

    To remain in the top tier, tier A, Wales simply need to beat Poland on Sunday night at the Cardiff City Stadium.

  8. Postpublished at 21:45 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    FT: Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

    Credit to the players and to the manager. Good managers see issues and fix them quickly.

    It was so much better in the second half, Wales got the goal and got back into the game.

    Rob Page will be really pleased with the second half. We just don't give up, do we?

    We could have snatched something in the end. Belgium looked like they were hanging on a bit at the end.

  9. FULL-TIME - Belgium 2-1 Walespublished at 21:40 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    That's it. Belgium hold on.

    They were cruising, but Wales made a real fight of things thanks to Kieffer Moore's goal.

    Roberto Martinez getting sent off late on was the twist none of us saw coming.

    Belgium celebrate Kevin de Bruyne's goalImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Wales send everyone up for a freekick, but the ball is headed wide.

  11. RED CARD - Roberto Martinezpublished at 90+4 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    The most mild-mannered manager on the planet is sent off for deliberately wasting time by throwing the ball away.

    My poor fingers can't keep up.

  12. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    You can kind of understand why Kevin De Bruyne is fed up with playing Wales - Wales just never go away.

  13. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    If you're Wales, the second-half display is so encouraging.

    They were out of this match and yet could still snatch a dramatic point.

  14. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 90+2 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Charles De Ketalaere replaces the maestro, Kevin De Bruyne.

  15. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I do think there is one more chance in this game for Wales.

    The team in the lead drops back - it's what typically happens.

    Wales just need to create one clear opening.

  16. Postpublished at 90+1 min

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Six minutes to be added on.

    Bring it on.

    I could watch another hour of this.

  17. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Brennan Johnson crosses.

    Another big chance is coming in this game.

    It could come at either end.

  18. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Gareth Bale breaks and tees up Neco Williams, whose shot is saved.

    Excellent, excellent game.

  19. Postpublished at 87 mins

    Belgium 2-1 Wales

    Belgium have men over, but Dries Mertens opts to shoot and he misses the target.

  20. Postpublished at 86 mins

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    Brennan Johnson just dragged that chance - but I don't think that's the last one.