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Belgium national football team
World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 15, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Wales national football team

1-1

de Bruyne (64')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Ramsey (87')

Live Commentary: Belgium 1-1 Wales - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of the final game in Group A of World Cup qualifying between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels.
2

Wales made the trip to Belgium tonight for their final qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Red Devils had already qualified for their first World Cup finals as winners of Group A and wanted to finish with a win in front of their own fans.

However, Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey combined late on to spoil the party at the King Baudouin Stadium, although the home side will still take pride in remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign.

Scroll down to read how the action unfolded in Brussels.


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Good evening! Welcome to Sports Mole for live text commentary of the final match in Group A of World Cup qualifying between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium.

We have some team news for you, starting with tonight's hosts...

BELGIUM: Courtois, Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Vermaelen, Pocognoli, Witsel, Dembele, Chadli, De Bruyne, Mirallas, Lukaku

Belgium boss Marc Wilmots names a strong lineup for tonight's final qualifying match despite their ticket to Brazil being assured. No doubt the Red Devils are looking for that 'Pot A' placing in the World Cup, which they should get with nine wins and a draw from 10 games. There's Premier League representation in the form of Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen, Tottenham Hotspur pair Moussa Demebele and Nacer Chadli, Kevin de Bruyne of Chelsea and Everton duo Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku.

WALES: Hennessey, Richards, Gunter, Collins, Taylor, Vaughan, King, Bellamy, Ramsey, Robson-Kanu, Church

Just the one change for Chris Coleman, which sees Huddersfield Town's Jazz Richards come into the defence for his third cap. He'll be replacing Cardiff City teenager Declan John, who gave a good first account of himself at international level against Macedonia on Friday. Of course, Craig Bellamy will be making his final appearance for the Dragons tonight.

These two teams have met each other on nine previous occasions, with Belgium winning five and Wales three. Their only draw was in a qualifier for Euro 1992. Tonight's hosts have won the last three meetings between these two nations, as well as their last seven competitive fixtures in total.

Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen scored the goals that saw Belgium to a 2-0 victory against Wales in the opening qualifying fixture in September 2012.


WALES 0-2 BELGIUM

After a year of sporadic fixtures, tonight is the night when the European qualifying section will be completed. Crucial games all over the continent. At Wembley, England can confirm their place in Brazil with a victory over Poland. Click here to follow that game. Current world champions Spain need just one point against Georgia to confirms their place in Brazil. That game can be found here.

Of course, there are crucial qualifying fixtures happening all over the world at the moment. Teams who are sure of their place are: Brazil (of course), Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea, Netherlands, Italy, Costa Rica, United States, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Colombia. So just another 18 places left...

The European playoffs is looking as competitive as it has ever been, with Portugal, France, Sweden, Croatia and Ukraine all looking likely to be in the mix. With Bosnia currently leading 1-0 in Lithuania, they would pip Greece to qualification in Group G. Switzerland finished top of Group E, meaning that the playoff spot is between Iceland and Slovenia. Turkey and Romania are competing to finished second to the Netherlands in Group D, while Bulgaria, Denmark, Czech Republic and Armenia all have a shot at finishing behind Italy in Group B. So many permutations...

Sports Mole also has live commentaries of Scotland vs. Croatia and Republic of Ireland vs. Kazakhstan. There's five minutes left in Northern Ireland's match in Israel, with the score locked at 1-1. Follow that here

Denmark are 4-0 up against Malta, meaning that they've done all they can do this evening. They'l await the result of the match between Bulgaria and Czech Republic. They need that match to be a draw and it's currently goalless after 35 minutes in Sofia.

BREAKING! Bosnia-Herzegovina qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil thanks to a 1-0 win over Lithuania.

Right, we'll concentrate on events in the Belgian capital now. The teams are out on the pitch, we're not long from kickoff.

Great atmosphere inside the King Baudouin Stadium, which is a sea of red and gold. Absolutely packed in here tonight to greet their heroes, who have qualified for their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

KICKOFF! Wales get us underway...

Nearly an early chance for Wales there, and it was thanks to the ingenuity of Aaron Ramsey. He outfoxed the Belgian defence with a lovely ball inside from the left to Bellamy, but the Cardiff man couldn't quite find Church inside the area. A lot of Belgian players back in the box covering.

Richards and Vaughan nearly play Wales into trouble by giving the ball to Lukaku, but the Everton striker himself gives the ball away as he looks for Mirallas on the left.

After a decent start from the visitors, it is now Belgium seeing all of the ball. They're keeping the ball well and sharing around a few touches. Witsel takes a shot but Ramsey manages to get a foot in. Corner.

De Bruyne's near-post corner nearly finds Van Buyten but he can't quite stoop low enough to turn it goalwards.

Vaughan dispossesses Dembele in midfield and lays the ball off to Ramsey, who slips in Church. Alderweireld does well to just stand up and force the Charlton man into a decision, which he gets wrong. He tried to loft the ball to the back post but it goes behind for a goal kick.

A poor kick from Hennessey - under absolutely no pressure - gives Belgium possession. Still pretty even so far, although Belgium the team seeing most of the ball.

Good ball from Mirallas to find De Bruyne in the area. The Chelsea man had broken Wales' last line but Collins got across well to put it behind for a corner.

The corner is cleared as far as Bellamy, who lays the ball off for Ramsey to surge forward. The Arsenal man returns it to Bellamy, but his cross is blocked for a corner. Powerful running from Ramsey.

De Bruyne has been very involved so far. He's all over the pitch at the moment, but his touch seems a bit heavy.

SAVE! First real chance of the match falls to Belgium! It was De Bruyne who fed Lukaku in to run at Hennessey. The angle was against him, allowing the Yeovil keeper to make the save at his near post. Collins was left for dust.

SHOT! Great move by Wales, in particular from Ramsey and Vaughan, who exchanged a lovely one-two on the edge of the area. The ball eventually fell for Robson-Kanu, but he got his shot all wrong.

Aaron Ramsey has been brilliant so far. His rejuvenation over the past year has been truly remarkable. The 22-year-old looks like a completely different player to the one bereft of confidence following his horrific leg break.

Great play by Robson-Kanu wins a corner for Wales.BEllamy delivers near post and Collins is steaming in, but Lukaku is there ahead of him. Great defensive header from the Everton striker, on loan from Chelsea.

Great play by Robson-Kanu wins a corner for Wales.BEllamy delivers near post and Collins is steaming in, but Lukaku is there ahead of him. Great defensive header from the Everton striker, on loan from Chelsea.

UPDATE! Scotland have taken the lead against Croatia thanks to Robert Snodgrass.

Almost a lovely ball from Ramsey to Church but it just wouldn't sit down for the Charlton striker. There is a chance for Wales on the counter here, Belgium are committing a lot of men forward when they attack. Especially at set pieces.

OFF THE BAR! Brilliant from Alderwireld, as he knocks the ball over the head of Vaughan and hits it on the volley, only for it to be deflected onto the bar! A goal-mouth scramble ensues, but Mirallas can't force the ball into the net.

SAVE! Belgium knocking on the door at the moment, this time it's De Bruyne with the shot that Hennesseey parries into the path of Lukaku, but the striker can't find the net on the stretch.

UPDATE! England have taken the lead at Wembley through Wayne Rooney.

CLOSE! Great header from Lukaku! He got his head to Mirallas's ball into the box, but the Chelsea loanee watched his header drift just past the far post.

SHOT! Robson-Kanu goes down the other end and hits a tame effort straight at Courtois.

Belgium are really coming on strong at the end of this half. Can Wales hold out until half time?

PENALTY APPEAL! Church goes down in the area under the challenge of Van Buyten, but the referee isn't interested. Correct decision, there was minimal contact and the Charlton man made the most of it.

HALF TIME: Belgium 0-0 Wales

To the first half at the King Baudouin Stadium ends goalless, despite the home side having a few good chances to take the lead. Wales have given a really good account of themselves so far, but you fear a bit for them in the second half. Of course, it all depends how Belgium come out after the break.

BELGIUM:
Shots:
13
On target: 4
Possession: 47%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 6

WALES:
Shots:
2
On target: 1
Possession: 57%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 4

Serbia are currently beating Macedonia 4-0 in Belgrade with 68 minutes on the clock. That means Wales avoid the wooden spoon in Group A, although Scotland's lead over Croatia puts the Dragons second bottom as things stand.

Click here to read Sports Mole's Half-Time Report.

RESTART! Belgium get us back underway at the King Baudouin Stadium. No changes for either side at the break.

SHOT! Mirallas is allowed to drift inside from the right and tee the ball up for De Bruyne to have a crack, but the Chelsea winger's effort is a wayward one.

Alderweireld drills a ball into Lukaku and the Everton striker steals a march on Gunter, who struggles to keep up. However, Lukaku, like De Bruyne, fires wildly off target.

CHANCE! Vermaelen forays forward and gets on the end of Lukaku's through ball, but he drags a left-footed shot well off target.

Collins is on the deck and needs treatment. He's shaking his head and doesn't look very happy. It appears to be his left ankle that's troubling him. Eden Hazard is currently stripped and ready to come on as the West Ham defender trudges off.

WALES SUB: James Wilson comes on to replaces Collins.

BELGIUM SUB: Nacer Chaldi is the man making way for Hazard.

De Bruyne's presence is ubiquitous but his end product hasn't quite been up to scratch. To his credit, he's not shying away from the action. He's plugging away.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Hazard, as Lukaku does well to knock down an angled ball into the area. The Chelsea winger dragged a right-footed shot wide of the far post.

SAVE! De Bruyne fires the ball into the feet of Lukaku and he links up with Hazard once more, but it's all down to the winger's skill to create the chance, as he weaves his way into the area and shoots at Hennessey. The Yeovil keeper saved with his legs.

GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Wales (Kevin de Bruyne)

It has been coming! Kevin de Bruyne gets some reward for his hard work tonight with a cool finish to put Belgium ahead, much to the relief of the home crowd! The winger flicked the ball beyond James Wilson and ran on to shoot across Hennessey. Nice flick on from Lukaku in the build-up as well.

De Bruyne's end product certainly wasn't lacking then. The Belgian fans are in full voice now, as Hennessey has to make another save from Hazard, who has been a whirlwind since his introduction.

WALES SUB: Sam Vokes comes on to replace Simon Church.

SHOT! De Bruyne does well to turn inside his marker but his shot from 25 yards is well off target.

BELGIUM SUB: Jan Vertonghen replaces Daniel van Buyten in defence.

UPDATE! Steven Naismith has put Scotland 2-0 in front against Croatia. That would be a superb result for Gordon Strachan's men, but it puts Wales fifth place. Still, Serbia-s 5-1 victory over Macedonia means that they definitely won't finish bottom of Group A.

CHANCE! Witsel tries an acrobatic effort from Mirallas's ball into the box from the right, but it's off target.

BELGIUM: PSV Eindohven wonderkid Zakaria Bakkali is coming on to win his first international cap. The 17-year-old is going to replace Kevin Mirallas.

CHANCE! Courtois comes for a corner and gets nowhere, but Wales can't force the ball into the net with a sea of bodies in the way.

CHANCE! Bakkali has a chance at the other end but his effort is yet another one off target for the hosts tonight.

Wales are spent as an attacking force. This Belgium team has a definite way of playing, it's almost like they grind their opponents into submission first and get stronger and stronger as the match goes on. And they still look fresh at this late stage of the match.

GOAL! Belgium 1-1 Wales (Aaron Ramsey)

What do I know? No sooner had I finished that last post the Belgium defence completely switched off. Bellamy had the ball in an advanced position wide on the left, and Ramsey just waltzed into the area - right past Witsel - to latch onto the Cardiff man's through ball and poke underneath Courtois. Terrible defending.

WALES SUB: Just before that goal 16-year-old Liverpool starlet Harry Wilson came on to replace Hal Robson-Kanu, becoming the youngest player to be capped by Wales.

FULL TIME: Belgium 1-1 Wales

Superb result for Wales, and what a wonderful way for Craig Bellamy to end his international career with an assist for Aaron Ramsey at the death. Although they will still finish fifth by virtue of Scotland's victory over Croatia.

Belgium only have themselves to blame for failing to win. They missed a host of chances, especially in the second half. Still, they finish the group unbeaten and will be going to their first World Cup since 2002.

England have also confirmed their place in Brazil with a 2-0 win over Poland.

That brings an end to our coverage on Sports Mole. Thanks for joining us this evening.

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Wales national team manager Chris Coleman looks on during the International Friendly match between Wales v Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on August 14, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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