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. Which Wales players have been on the move?published at 19:14 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    Wales' qualification for a first World Cup appearance in 64 years has had a big impact on the transfer market.

    The need for Wales' players to be playing as much as possible - and for the biggest clubs - has never been greater.

    In total 16 players in and around Robert Page's squad have made switches this summer in pursuit of a ticket to Qatar, with the transfer deadline now closed until January.

    From homecomings to new beginnings in new leagues, there have been several eye-catching moves.

    BBC Sport Wales has rounded them all up for you, because it's nice to be nice.

    Read more: Which Wales players have been on the move ahead of World Cup 2022?

    Rabbi Matondo playing for RangersImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 19:13 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

    This whole Nations League has been a bit of a write-off for a lot of teams, a lot of players complaining about having to play in June and managers picking second-string teams.

    These are two big games for Wales. They have to try to concentrate on producing a solid performance but it won't be easy against a Belgium side which really is fully loaded with talent.

  3. Page secures future as Wales bosspublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    In case you missed it while we all focused on club football for 100 days in this, the most hectic of all football seasons, Wales manager Robert Page has signed a new four-year contract.

    Page's previous deal was set to expire after the 2022 World Cup.

    The 48-year-old has been in charge since November 2020, having first taken over temporarily from Ryan Giggs before getting the job permanently.

    "There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team and I can't wait for the challenge the next four years will bring, starting with our first World Cup in 64 years," he said.

    "This is an exciting time for Welsh football and I hope we can make the country proud in November and continue our success by qualifying for more major tournaments in the future."

    Page's new contract means he will be in charge for Wales' Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and runs through until the 2026 World Cup.

    Read more: Wales manager Robert Page signs new contract before 2022 World Cup in Qatar

    Robert PageImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  4. A Nations League refresher coursepublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    The 2022-23 Nations League group stages come to an end this month, with England, Wales and Northern Ireland all facing relegation - and Scotland aiming for promotion.

    Most teams played their first four games in June, with two matches remaining.

    The Nations League is a biennial competition in its third edition. It was first won by Portugal in 2019 and France are the defending champions after beating Spain in the 2021 final.

    Read more: How does the Nations League work?

    World Cup split pic, Harry Kane, Gareth Bale,  Stuart Armstrong and Gavin WhyteImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

    Belgium's starting line-up has 899 caps (including a debutant, Zeno Debast).

    Wales, by contrast, have 364 - and of those 104 have been won by Wayne Hennessey.

  6. Team news - Bale on the bench for Walespublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

    Wales make four changes from their 3-2 defeat in the Netherlands last time out in June.

    Ben Davies, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Harry Wilson are all missing through injury, while defenders Connor Roberts, Neco Williams and Rhys Norrington-Davies are recalled alongside striker Kieffer Moore.

    Gareth Bale is on the bench as manager Robert Page looks to manage the workload of the 33-year-old, whose appearances for Los Angeles FC this season have primarily been as a substitute.

    Fulham’s 17-year-old midfielder Luke Harris could make his debut from the bench.

    Wales: Hennessey; Mepham, Rodon, Norrington-Davies; C. Roberts, Ampadu, Smith, N. Williams; Johnson, James, Moore.

    Subs: Ward, King, Gunter, Cabango, Levitt, T. Roberts, Bale, Morrell, J. Williams, M. Harris, Thomas, L. Harris

    Wales team graphicImage source, BBC Sport
  7. Team news - De Bruyne returns for Belgiumpublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

    Belgium make five changes from their 1-0 win in Poland in June, and they welcome back some seriously good players.

    Defender Zeno Debast comes in for his debut, while Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Yannick Carrasco and Kevin De Bruyne are the big hitters recalled.

    Belgium: Courtois; Debast, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, E. Hazard, Batshuayi.

    Subs: Mignolet, Casteels, Theate, Openda, Mertens, De Ketalaere, Trossard, Onana, Dendoncker, Vanaken, Castagne, Saelemaekers

    Belgium team graphicImage source, BBC Sport
  8. The Nations League... we go againpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 22 September 2022

    Belgium v Wales (19:45 BST)

    Good evening,

    The Nations League eh, like a puzzle you start and then come back to, months later, unsure exactly where you've got to.

    It is exactly 100 days since Wales were last in action in this competition, when a 3-2 defeat in the Netherlands consigned Wales to bottom spot in group A4.

    And while that looks bad on paper - sorry - there is a pretty ginormous caveat attached to Wales' poor form in the Nations League... their World Cup qualification.

    Robert Page has prioritised Wales' bid to reach Qatar and as such, even with injury issues galore, there is plenty for Page to ponder tonight in Brussels and in Cardiff on Sunday, as he formulates his plan for the 26 players he wants to take to the World Cup in November.

    Now is very much the time to impress.

    Let's have a look at those teams, shall we?

    Wales v Belgium from the game in Cardiff, Joe Rodon looking annoyedImage source, Getty Images