Belgium 4-3 Wales: Incredible comeback ends in Welsh heartbreak amid major drama

Wales almost pulled off a stunning comeback against Belgium in their World Cup qualifier, fighting back from 3-0 down before their hopes were dashed in heartbreaking fashion.

Goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson looked to have given Craig Bellamy’s side a share of the spoils against all the odds.

But a late Kevin de Bruyne goal gave the home side all three points in a quite crazy contest.

Talk about a game of two halves.

The result blows Group J wide open, with North Macedonia having beaten Kazakhstan earlier in the day, leaving Wales in second place behind the North Macedonians.

Before the match Bellamy had said: “I’m not camping. I’m not sitting back. It’s not in my make-up. I can’t do it, I don’t want to do it.”

That may have been the plan but the quality of the hosts was evident from the start.

Bellamy made three changes to the side who beat Liechtenstein 3-0 last Friday, with Chris Mepham, Jordan James and David Brooks coming in for Neco Williams, Liam Cullen and Kieffer Moore.

Wales were very much on the back foot from the start and the visitors were happy to let the hosts have possession. But they quickly made them pay, with Thomas and Johnson forced back pretty much immediately.

Wales were given an early warning when Jeremy Doku had a shot blocked, but they were soon behind. A deflected shot from de Bruyne hit Johnson’s arm in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

After a lengthy VAR check, Lukaku sent Karl Darlow the wrong way.

It was nothing more than the hosts deserved.

Ethan Ampadu then went into the referee’s notebook – and there was further bad news for Bellamy in the 19th minute when Belgium doubled their lead.

Lovely combination play between Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard