Wales 2-4 Belgium: De Bruyne nets penalty brace to dent hosts' qualifying hopes

The dream is still very much alive, but there's an inescapable feeling this was an opportunity missed for Wales.

The main caveat being, of course, that victory against a Belgium side that hadn't lost a qualifying game for over 10 years, was always going to be a big ask.

Belgium's last qualifying defeat was in fact at this very stadium, where Gareth Bale's early first-half strike proved enough to seal a pivotal win for Wales on their road to Euro 2016.

Wales don't have that messianic figure to lean on nowadays, but failure to qualify for next summer's World Cup would clearly be considered a failure given the shift in expectations.

When Joe Rodon headed home to put Wales in front after eight minutes, the road to next summer's finals looked pleasingly sharp.

But Belgium were always likely to try and blur the picture, and ruthlessly hit back with two Kevin De Bruyne penalties and a goal from Thomas Meunier.

Nathan Broadhead came off the bench to net late on, but Leandro Trossard made sure of the win nearly straight after the restart, and dent the hosts' hopes of qualifying automatically from Group J.

No one could accuse Bellamy of a lack of bravery on the night. The Wales boss making four changes from the chastening defeat to England, including handing a start to Mark Harris, who has scored just once in 2025.

Harris nearly justified his selection within the opening few minutes, with only a deflection denying him at close range after Neco Williams had beaten the offside trap to square.

That chance came as part of a blistering start, and on eight minutes, Wales deservedly took the lead.

A superb corner from Sorba Thomas finding the towering head of Rodon, and he thumped home.

Wales were firmly on top, but their joy would last