Sub Brennan Johnson earns Wales a deserved draw against Belgium

Brennan Johnson’s first international goal gave Wales a deserved 1-1 Nations League draw against Belgium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Johnson slid home Aaron Ramsey’s pass three minutes from time, his effort surviving an agonising VAR check for offside before the celebrations could begin.

Youri Tielemans had put Belgium ahead after 51 minutes but, once again, this was a spirited and resilient performance from Wales against world-class opposition.

Wales, still on a high from World Cup qualification, will feel their Nations League performances have deserved far more, but they finally have some reward.

Robert Page’s side lost out to late goals against Poland and Holland, and VAR denied them inside five minutes against Belgium.

Ethan Ampadu crashed home a spectacular half-volley for what would have been his first Wales goal in 35 appearances.

But Ampadu’s joy turned to despair as video evidence showed Joe Rodon had just strayed offside in the build-up.

This was a case of familiar foes reunited with Wales and Belgium meeting for the eighth time in the last decade.

Honours were even with two wins apiece and three draws, and the two nations had met as recently as November in World Cup qualifying.

That game had finished 1-1 as Wales claimed the point that would secure crucial seeded status in the World Cup play-offs.

Boss Page had fielded a weakened team for the midweek visit of Holland that had brought Wales’ first home defeat for three-and-a-half years.

But skipper Gareth Bale returned in a far more familiar line-up as Wales sought to put their first top-tier Nations League points on the board.

There were also recalls for Wayne Hennessey, goalkeeping hero of the World Cup play-off final victory over Ukraine, Ampadu, Joe Allen and