Wales vs Belgium LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight
Kieffer Moore’s goal at the Cardiff City Stadium ensured Rob Page’s side secured a play-off spot as seeds
Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium to secure home advantage in their World Cup play-off semi-final.
Kevin De Bruyne silenced a noisy Cardiff crowd inside 12 minutes, but Kieffer Moore equalised before half-time to give Wales the point they craved.
Already guaranteed a play-off spot through their Nations League results, Wales were determined to secure a home tie in March by finishing second in Group E.
The point was enough to finish above the Czech Republic and take their place among the six seeded teams in the play-offs. Turkey needed to win by four goals in Montenegro to deny Wales a home tie but could only manage a 2-1 victory.
Follow live reaction to Wales vs Belgium, below:
Wales 1-1 Belgium
48 mins: A lovely flick from De Bruyne sets Belgium on their way in their first attack of the half - he then looks set to receive the ball back from Origi at the edge as he lines up a shot, but Ramsey gets back well to nick the ball off his toe.
KICK-OFF! Wales 1-1 Belgium
Back underway in Cardiff! Both teams are unchanged for the start of the second half.
HALF TIME: Wales 1-1 Belgium
As it stands, these 12 teams will be going through to March’s World Cup play-offs. The six seeded teams, included Wales, would get a home tie against an unseeded side.
Seeded: Portugal, Russia, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, Wales
Unseeded: Austria, North Macedonia, Finland, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic
HALF TIME: Wales 1-1 Belgium
Following De Bruyne and Moore’s first-half strikes, Belgium and Wales have seen their key men step up once again:
HALF TIME: Wales 1-1 Belgium
Here are the results that matter from around Europe at half time.
Wales 1-1 Belgium
Czech Republic 0-0 Estonia
Netherlands 0-0 Norway
Montenegro 1-1 Turkey
As it stands, Wales will finish Group E as runners-up and finish as one of the six-best second-placed teams, earning a home tie in the play-offs.
Still, there’s a long way to go.
HALF TIME: Wales 1-1 Belgium
And that’s the last action of what has been an entertaining first half at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales are halfway there to sealing a seeded spot in the playoffs.
Wales 1-1 Belgium
45 mins: Rodon wins the ball back from Origi high up the field, and Wales spring forward. Allen lays it off to Moore, who takes aim at goal but thrashes a shot over the bar.
Wales 1-1 Belgium
43 mins: Wales are forced into some last-ditch defending inside their box after Mepham concedes possession - Davies goes to ground challenging De Ketelaere, before Mepham hacks the ball out for a corner. Wales scramble clear, before Allen heads a dangerous Hazard ball wide.
The match is then stopped to allow Davies to get some treatment - it looks like he took a head knock from that last corner.
Wales 1-1 Belgium
40 mins: Off the post! Wow, what a goal this would have been! De Bruyne flights the ball back to the edge of the box where Thorgan Hazard was waiting. His technique on the volley is exquisite, guiding the ball with the inside of his foot towards the goal. For a moment it looks as if it’s going to creep into the top corner - and Ward was stranded - but it catches the outside of the post and goes behind!
Wales 1-1 Belgium
38 mins: Moore has the chance to break after Meunier gives the ball away, but the big striker is quickly caught by the recovering Belgium defenders. Davies is then late when challenging De Ketelaere on the edge of the Wales box, giving De Bruyne a chance to whip it in from the right...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments