Belgium vs Wales, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - UEFA, Group Stage
· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - UEFAKevin De Bruyne nets late as Belgium edge Wales in 4-3 thriller
Kevin De Bruyne came to Belgium's rescue with a winner two minutes from time as they scraped a 4-3 victory over Wales in their World Cup qualifier on Monday.
Match Timeline
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 2': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Brennan Johnson.
- 3': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Joe Rodon.
- 5': Brennan Johnson (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 5': Foul by Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium).
- 6': Corner,Wales. Conceded by Maxim De Cuyper.
- 6': Attempt blocked. Ben Davies (Wales) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Wilson with a cross.
- 9': Attempt blocked. Jérémy Doku (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Leandro Trossard.
- 9': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Jordan James.
- 9': Delay in match because of an injury Thomas Meunier (Belgium).
- 11': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 11': Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
- 11': Penalty conceded by Brennan Johnson (Wales) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
- 15': Goal! Belgium 1, Wales 0. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
- 16': Substitution, Belgium. Koni De Winter replaces Thomas Meunier because of an injury.
- 17': Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Wales).
- 17': Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 17': Ethan Ampadu (Wales) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 19': Goal! Belgium 2, Wales 0. Youri Tielemans (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Maxim De Cuyper.
- 20': Attempt saved. David Brooks (Wales) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Matz Sels (Belgium).
- 20': Attempt blocked. Sorba Thomas (Wales) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
- 20': Attempt saved. Ben Davies (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Matz Sels (Belgium). Assisted by Ethan Ampadu.
- 20': Corner,Wales. Conceded by Matz Sels.
- 22': Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jérémy Doku with a through ball following a fast break.
- 25': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Joe Rodon.
- 26': Foul by Koni De Winter (Belgium).
- 26': Sorba Thomas (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 27': Goal! Belgium 3, Wales 0. Jérémy Doku (Belgium) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Koni De Winter.
- 31': Brennan Johnson (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 31': Foul by Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium).
- 31': Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 34': Hand ball by Jérémy Doku (Belgium).
- 37': Delay in match because of an injury Ben Davies (Wales).
- 38': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 39': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Sorba Thomas.
- 40': Attempt blocked. Youri Tielemans (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 41': Attempt blocked. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
- 41': Brennan Johnson (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 41': Foul by Leandro Trossard (Belgium).
- 41': Leandro Trossard (Belgium) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 44': Offside, Belgium. Jérémy Doku is caught offside.
- 45': Foul by Amadou Onana (Belgium).
- 45': Jordan James (Wales) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 45': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
- 45'+2': Corner,Wales. Conceded by Koni De Winter.
- 45'+3': Corner,Wales. Conceded by Kevin De Bruyne.
- 45'+4': Attempt saved. Chris Mepham (Wales) header from very close range is saved in the top right corner by Matz Sels (Belgium). Assisted by Sorba Thomas with a cross.
- 45'+4': Penalty Wales. Chris Mepham draws a foul in the penalty area.
- 45'+4': Penalty conceded by Matz Sels (Belgium) after a foul in the penalty area.
- 45'+7': Goal! Belgium 3, Wales 1. Harry Wilson (Wales) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the centre of the goal.
- 45'+8': Attempt missed. Leandro Trossard (Belgium) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Maxim De Cuyper.
- 45'+8': First Half ends, Belgium 3, Wales 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Belgium 3, Wales 1.
- 45': Substitution, Belgium. Arthur Theate replaces Maxim De Cuyper.
- 45': Substitution, Belgium. Dodi Lukébakio replaces Leandro Trossard.
- 47': Attempt missed. Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne following a fast break.
- 49': Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Wales).
- 49': Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 50': Attempt missed. Jérémy Doku (Belgium) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Arthur Theate following a set piece situation.
- 51': Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Amadou Onana.
- 51': Goal! Belgium 3, Wales 2. Sorba Thomas (Wales) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harry Wilson.
- 54': Attempt saved. Sorba Thomas (Wales) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Matz Sels (Belgium). Assisted by Brennan Johnson.
- 54': Attempt blocked. Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
- 56': Attempt blocked. Jérémy Doku (Belgium) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
- 57': Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 57': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Joe Rodon.
- 58': Connor Roberts (Wales) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 58': Foul by Jérémy Doku (Belgium).
- 62': Amadou Onana (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 62': Foul by Harry Wilson (Wales).
- 63': Attempt missed. Amadou Onana (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
- 63': Substitution, Wales. Mark Harris replaces David Brooks.
- 63': Substitution, Wales. Liam Cullen replaces Jordan James.
- 64': Foul by Youri Tielemans (Belgium).
- 64': Liam Cullen (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 64': Attempt missed. Mark Harris (Wales) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sorba Thomas with a cross.
- 65': Foul by Brennan Johnson (Wales).
- 65': Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 66': Attempt blocked. Ben Davies (Wales) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sorba Thomas with a cross.
- 67': Foul by Koni De Winter (Belgium).
- 67': Sorba Thomas (Wales) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 68': Corner,Wales. Conceded by Arthur Theate.
- 69': Goal! Belgium 3, Wales 3. Brennan Johnson (Wales) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sorba Thomas with a headed pass.
- 71': Ethan Ampadu (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 71': Foul by Youri Tielemans (Belgium).
- 75': Substitution, Belgium. Nicolas Raskin replaces Dodi Lukébakio.
- 75': Foul by Nicolas Raskin (Belgium).
- 75': Sorba Thomas (Wales) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 79': Foul by Chris Mepham (Wales).
- 79': Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 79': Chris Mepham (Wales) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 80': GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.
- 82': Harry Wilson (Wales) is shown the yellow card.
- 85': VAR Decision: No Goal Belgium 3-3 Wales.
- 87': Attempt blocked. Jérémy Doku (Belgium) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
- 87': Corner,Belgium. Conceded by Connor Roberts.
- 88': Goal! Belgium 4, Wales 3. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Youri Tielemans with a cross following a corner.
- 89': Substitution, Belgium. Alexis Saelemaekers replaces Kevin De Bruyne.
- 90': Foul by Nicolas Raskin (Belgium).
- 90': Sorba Thomas (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90': Nicolas Raskin (Belgium) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90': Fourth official has announced 8 minutes of added time.
- 90'+1': Foul by Sorba Thomas (Wales).
- 90'+1': Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 90'+3': Substitution, Wales. Rabbi Matondo replaces Sorba Thomas.
- 90'+6': Foul by Rabbi Matondo (Wales).
- 90'+6': Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 90'+7': Attempt saved. Liam Cullen (Wales) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Matz Sels (Belgium). Assisted by Harry Wilson.
- 90'+8': Alexis Saelemaekers (Belgium) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 90'+8': Foul by Joe Rodon (Wales).
- 90'+9': Second Half ends, Belgium 4, Wales 3.
- 0': Match ends, Belgium 4, Wales 3.
Statistics
 WAL |
BEL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Fouls | 13 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Offsides | 1 |
| 5 | Corner Kicks | 7 |
| 0 | Saves | 5 |
| 54.3 | Possession | 45.7 |
| 12 | SHOTS | 18 |
| 8 | ON GOAL | 4 |
| 0.7 | On Target % | 0.2 |
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 |
| 1 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 1 |
| 423 | Accurate Passes | 352 |
| 470 | Passes | 401 |
| 0.9 | Pass Completion % | 0.9 |
| 8 | Accurate Crosses | 3 |
| 23 | Crosses | 11 |
| 0.3 | Cross % | 0.3 |
| 35 | Long Balls | 35 |
| 24 | Accurate Long Balls | 15 |
| 0.7 | Long Balls % | 0.4 |
| 3 | Blocked Shots | 8 |
| 11 | Effective Tackles | 0 |
| 22 | Tackles | 6 |
| 0.5 | Tackle % | 0.0 |
| 7 | Interceptions | 3 |
| 21 | Effective Clearances | 15 |
| 21 | Clearances | 15 |
Game Information
Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - UEFA
Venue: King Baudouin Stadium
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Attendance: 33,653
Venue: King Baudouin Stadium
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Attendance: 33,653
WCQ - UEFA Table
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Macedonia | 4 | +4 | 8 |
| 2 | Wales | 4 | +4 | 7 |
| 3 | Belgium | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 3 | -1 | 3 |
Line-Ups
Belgium (4-2-3-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 13 | Matz Sels (GK) |
| 4 | Wout Faes |
| 2 | Zeno Debast |
| 5 | Maxim De Cuyper |
| 15 | Thomas Meunier |
| 7 | Kevin De Bruyne |
| 8 | Youri Tielemans |
| 6 | Amadou Onana |
| 10 | Romelu Lukaku |
| 11 | Leandro Trossard  |
| 22 | Jérémy Doku |
Wales (4-2-3-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Darlow (GK) |
| 2 | Chris Mepham |
| 6 | Joe Rodon |
| 4 | Ben Davies |
| 14 | Connor Roberts |
| 8 | Harry Wilson |
| 17 | Jordan James |
| 5 | Ethan Ampadu |
| 7 | David Brooks |
| 19 | Sorba Thomas |
| 11 | Brennan Johnson |
WCQ - UEFA News
Which famous football knighthoods has David Beckham joined?
Take a look at some of the other stars who have been knighted from the footballing world after David Beckham's knighthood.
Poland boss quits after Robert Lewandowski captaincy row
Poland manager Michal Probierz resigned Thursday following a row over his decision to replace the country's record goal scorer Robert Lewandowski as captain.
Has Thomas Tuchel already 'lost' Jude Bellingham?
Don Hutchison can't fathom why England manager Thomas Tuchel would make negative comments about Jude Bellingham public.
Jude Bellingham's on-pitch England rage offends my mum - Thomas Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel has said he understands criticism of Jude Bellingham after the midfielder's emotions boiled over during the shock defeat to Senegal on Tuesday.
2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.