KEVIN DE BRUYNE broke Wales hearts on a night of World Cup qualifying chaos in Belgium.
The out-going Manchester City star scored an 88th-minute winner to inflict Craig Bellamy’s first defeat as Dragons boss and dent their automatic qualification hopes.
GettyKevin De Bruyne grabbed Belgium’s winner against Wales[/caption]
But where do you start to sum up this seven-goal thriller – which included an epic three-goal comeback by Wales – which was dominated by several poor refereeing decisions and lengthy VAR checks?
There were two first-half penalties awarded by referee Irfan Peljto – one for each side and both looked harsh.
Then Romelu Lukaku had an 80th-minute goal ruled out following a five-minute VAR check – during which both managers were booked – because the ball went out of play in the build-up.
On a night of mayhem in Brussels, the Dragons fell 3-0 down inside 27 minutes through goals by Lukaku from the penalty spot, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku as the hosts ran riot in the first half.
Spirited Wales came roaring back through goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson.
Yet De Bruyne had the final say with a classy finish when the star midfielder was left unmarked at the back post.
It left the visitors floored as Bellamy tasted a loss for the first time in ten matches since he became boss last July.
Wales now trail North Macedonia by a point in Group J in their quest to reach the finals in USA, Mexico and Canada next summer with the Belgians only three points behind with two games in hand.
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To compound Bellamy’s frustrations, the 45-year-old, who spent two years at Anderlecht, is due to return to Belgium for a friend’s wedding later this week.
Pre-match, Bellamy had hailed his first 12 months in the Wales job as the “best year” of his life.
But, after Spurs legend Jan Vertonghen received a heartfelt farewell from the Belgian public, Bellamy’s Dragons were left furious by the award of Lukaku’s 15th-minute penalty.
De Bruyne’s shot hit the arm of Brennan Johnson from a short distance but Bosnian ref Peljto pointed to the spot.
A lengthy VAR check did not overturn what looked to be a harsh decision and Napoli striker Lukaku slotted home his 89th international goal.
Wales were rocked and failed to recover as Belgium cut them to ribbons in a dangerous attacking display.
Tielemans doubled the hosts’ lead on 19 minutes when the Aston Villa midfielder, captain for the night, hit the top corner with a side-footed finish.
It was a slick team move from Rudi Garcia’s men with De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and Maxim de Cuyper involved before Tielemans was left unmarked to beat Karl Darlow.
Wales almost halved the deficit instantly but David Brooks missed a glorious chance before Ben Davies forced Nottingham Forest keeper Matz Sels into a scrambling save.
De Bruyne rolled an effort past the post but Manchester City wideman Doku made no mistake when he cut in on his left foot and fired past Darlow despite the Leeds stopper getting a hand to his shot.
Wales, who had never won on Belgian soil, were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Sels was deemed to foul Chris Mepham when he clattered into the defender trying to punch a high ball away.
It appeared another harsh call by ref Peljto and Wilson scored from the spot by sending Sels the wrong way for his 14th Dragons goal.
Trossard and Lukaku wasted chances to put the game to bed and Wales netted a second on 51 minutes when Wilson set up Thomas to slot home.
Wales were in dreamland when Johnson headed home from Thomas’ centre before De Bruyne scored his 31st Belgium goal in his final act before he was substituted to crush Bellamy and Co.
GettyYouri Tielemans helped Belgium march into a commanding lead[/caption]
EPAWales got a penalty on the stroke of half-time[/caption]
GettyHarry Wilson converted his spot kick to give Wales a lifeline[/caption]
GettySorba Thomas rolled in Wales’ second to cut the deficit to one[/caption]
EPABrennan Johnson headed in a dramatic equaliser[/caption]
ReutersRomelu Lukaku thought he had restored Belgium’s advantage[/caption]
ReutersWales immediatel appealed to the ref as VAR took five minutes to rule it out[/caption]
GettyWales did their trademark silly team photo before kick-off[/caption]
GettyLukaku scored from the penalty spot to get things going[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
