De Bruyne’s penalty double fires Belgium to important win over Wales

Rudi Garcia’s facet trailed to Joe Rodon’s early opener on the Cardiff City Stadium.

But De Bruyne levelled from the penalty spot and Thomas Meunier fired Belgium forward earlier than half-time.

De Bruyne transformed one other penalty within the closing levels earlier than Nathan Broadhead obtained one again for the hosts.

Leandro Trossard extinguished Wales’ hopes of a dramatic end as Belgium moved to the highest of Group J.

Belgium are two factors away from second-placed North Macedonia, who have been held to a 1-1 draw by Kazakhstan on Monday.

The Red Devils have not misplaced a qualifier for the World Cup or European Championship in 46 video games since Gareth Bale sealed Wales’ shock victory in opposition to them in 2015.

Wales sit in third place after squandering an opportunity to maneuver a step nearer to subsequent yr’s event within the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Craig Bellamy’s workforce are 4 factors behind Belgium, with either side having two video games to play, whereas North Macedonia have one match remaining.

Belgium have been held 0-0 at residence by North Macedonia on Friday, a outcome that had put Wales’ World Cup future in their very own fingers.

Wales knew three wins from their final three matches would clinch a World Cup place.

But now they face a possible play-off route if they can not overhaul Belgium, with a visit to Liechtenstein on November 15 earlier than a house sport in opposition to North Macedonia three days later.

Wales have been crushed 4-3 by Belgium in Brussels in June, with De Bruyne bagging the late winner.

Once once more the Napoli midfielder proved their nemesis.

– Nerveless De Bruyne –

Wales’ blistering begin reaped a deserved reward within the eighth minute when Leeds defender Rodon exploited Belgium’s woeful marking as he rose to move residence from Sorba Thomas’s nook.

But in opposition to the run of play, Belgium have been handed a lifeline within the 18th minute.

Charles De Ketelaere’s long-range shot hit Ethan Ampadu’s arm within the space.

Ampadu hardly prolonged his arm away from his physique however Daniel Siebert awarded the penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor and De Bruyne calmly stepped as much as ship Karl Darlow the mistaken approach from the spot.

Bellamy was booked for protesting, triggering a suspension from the bench for the Liechtenstein sport.

The Wales supervisor’s frustration solely elevated within the twenty fourth minute as Belgium took the lead.

If the guests’ first objective was controversial, there was no debating the deserves of their second.

Thomas was caught napping because the irrepressible Jeremy Doku galloped into acres of house on the suitable flank to whip a low cross into the Wales space.

Meunier timed his run completely to information a medical end previous Darlow from an acute angle.

Bellamy had made a daring resolution by dropping Brennan Johnson after his current struggles however, in want of inspiration after Belgium seized the momentum, he despatched on the Tottenham winger within the 58th minute.

However, Johnson’s most notable contribution was to usher away a rat after it ran onto the pitch to briefly halt play.

As the rat left Wales’ sinking ship, Bellamy’s males have been completed off within the 76th minute.

Jordan James needlessly dealt with Trossard’s flick within the space and the nerveless De Bruyne once more slotted residence from the spot.

Broadhead’s 89th minute end from the sting of the world, after Kieffer Moore robbed Trossard, appeared like organising a tense finale.

But Trossard made amends seconds later because the Arsenal ahead drilled residence from Timothy Castagne’s cross.

smg/bsp

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

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