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
34 mins: Shortly after the restart, Joe Morrell clatters into Witsel to pick up a costly yellow card - he will now miss the play-off semi-final.
Belgium go down the other end and win a quick corner - which Boyata heads wide from De Bruyne’s delivery.
GOAL! Wales 1-1 Belgium (MOORE 32’)
Where did that come from?! Wales hit back with their first shot, and it’s the returning Kieffer Moore who fires them in front from close range! It’s sloppy from Belgium, you’ve got to say. Boyata made a dreadful clearance from James’ cross from the left, giving the winger another chance to chip it into the middle. Belgium fail to clear, again, and it falls to Moore who turns and smashes a shot into the net with his left foot. What a noise in the Cardiff City Stadium now!
Wales 0-1 Belgium
28 mins: You get the feeling that Belgium are trying to draw Wales in to them at times. Apart from that one Boyata slip, they’ve looked comfortable in playing out through the Wales press and the pitch can quickly open up for them after playing through the first four or five red shirts.
Turkey are now level in Montenegro, while it’s goalless in the games in the Netherlands and Czech Republic.
Wales 0-1 Belgium
26 mins: Boyata slips when on the ball and it briefly looked like Moore was through on goal as he picked up the ball - but Belgium were able to recover. Moore eventually skips past Theate and crosses to James (which is the wrong way round really) but Meunier gets back to head behind. Belgium clear the corner.
Wales 0-1 Belgium
24 mins: Thorgan Hazard gets his first opportunity to stand up Roberts and drive into the box - but the wing back does well to hold his ground and block the shot as Hazard tried to curl for the far corner.
Davies then gives the ball away cheaply with a loose pass into midfield - it’s picked up by De Bruyne (again, the last person you’d want it to) but he rather slices his left-footed effort high and wide of the target.
Wales 0-1 Belgium
22 mins: Moore competes with Boyata from a Ward clearance - and is clattered from behind by the Belgium defender. Both players crash to the ground and there are howls for a yellow card for Boyata - but the referee is unmoved despite giving the free kick.
Wales 0-1 Belgium
21 mins: Wales try to press Belgium high up the pitch but a couple of quick passes between Witsel and De Bruyne in midfield sees the visitors switch play to the open Meunier on the right.
It’s tough going for Wales at the moment.
Wales 0-1 Belgium
18 mins: Moore is looking to pull onto the debutant Theate at every opportunity. The big striker is penalised for the foul on the defender from a goal kick - much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Wales 0-1 Belgium
15 mins: Davies scoops the ball forward to James, but he is unable to wriggle away from Boyata after he initially looked like he had the beating of him for pace.
James tries to flick the ball into the box as he is crowded out by a couple of Belgian defenders. There are cries for handball from the crowd but there was nothing in that.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments