"Craig Bellamy cited Nostradamus in the buildup to this contest, advising to expect the unexpected given the 43 thriller that unfolded the last time these nations met. But while Wales gave Belgium an early fright, two Kevin De Bruyne penalties and a Thomas Meunier strike paved the way to a comeback victory that surely ends the hosts' hopes of qualifying automatically for the World Cup."
"Bellamy demanded an intensity from his side to match the inevitable electricity in the stands. We cannot be a ploddy team, he said on the eve of the match. This stadium played the hits, pre-match: Yma o Hyd, Zombie Nation, a light show to boot. The players emerged from the tunnel to a giant banner strewn across the bottom of the Canton Stand: Tan Yn Eu Gwaed (Fire in their Blood), Welshmen will not yield."
Wales started brightly, with Joe Rodon heading an early goal to give the hosts a strong opening. Belgium responded with two penalties converted by Kevin De Bruyne and a strike from Thomas Meunier to overturn the deficit and seize control. Nathan Broadhead pulled one back in the 89th minute, but Leandro Trossard immediately converted from close range to seal a 4-2 victory. The win preserves Belgium's pristine qualifying record and likely ends Wales' route to automatic qualification, leaving Wales needing to pursue a more difficult path to reach the World Cup.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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