Wales 1 Belgium 1 LIVE REACTION: Dragons secure home play-off tie with nervous draw in Cardiff – latest updates
WALES will avoid big guns Italy and Portugal in the semi-finals of their World Cup qualifying play-offs after securing second place in their group with a 1-1 draw against Belgium.
- RESULT: Wales 1-1 Belgium
- Wales XI: 12 Ward; 14 C. Roberts, 5 Mepham, 6 Rodon, 4 Davies; 3 Williams, 16 Morrell, 7 Allen, 10 Ramsey, 20 James; 13 Moore
- Belgium XI: 13 Casteels; 21 Castagne, 4 Boyata, 2 Theate, 15 Meunier; 6 Witsel, 7 De Bruyne, 10 T. Hazard; 8 Vanaken, 18 De Ketelaere, 17 Origi
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THAT'S ALL FROM CARDIFF!
Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium and sealed a seeded position ahead of the World Cup play-offs, which means that the second semi-final will take place in thew nation's capital!
The game didn't start well for Rob Page's men as the visitors opened the scoring after just 12 minutes with Kevin De Bruyne’s marvellous curling shot from the edge of the box.
But the Dragons responded 20 minutes later when Daniel James’ cross from the left was met by shocking defending from Axel Witsel and Arthur Theate, who failed to clear the ball.
It also set up Kieefer Moore in the area where he beat Koen Casteels with a fine finish that proved to be crucial.
Roberto Martinez’s men came close to a second five minutes before half-time when De Bruyne’s free-kick from the right set Thorgan Hazard on the edge of the box and his shot rattled Danny Ward’s crossbar.
Wales almost scored a winner in the 83rd minute when Neco Williams’ powerful shot forced a difficult save from Casteels, who lunged to his top left corner to deny the Liverpool ace
GETTY IMAGES FINAL TABLE
Belgium had already punched their ticket to the 2022 World Cup as they sealed first place in Group E.
Wales' draw with Roberto Martinez's men has helped them secure second place, one point ahead of the Czech Republic.
The Dragons knew they would be in the play-offs thanks to their Nations League finish.
However, tonight's result made sure they are seeded ahead of the draw!
STATS
Belgium's depleted side dominated a staggering 75.8 per cent of possession throughout the encounter.
Roberto Martinez's men registered a total of 16 shots but only four of them were on target.
Wales, on the other hand, recorded eight shots, three of which were on target at Cardiff City Stadium.
The two teams were quite evenly-matched and the aerial duels show it as they both had a 50 per cent success rate
FT: WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
Wales have sealed a seeded position ahead of the World Cup play-offs, which means that the second semi-final will take place in Cardiff!
Belgium opened the scoring after just 12 minutes with Kevin De Bruyne's marvellous curling shot from the edge of the box.
But the Dragons responded 20 minutes later when Daniel James' cross from the left was met by shocking defending from Axel Witsel and Arthur Theate, who failed to clear the ball.
It also set up Kieefer Moore in the area where he beat Koen Casteels with a fine finish that proved to be crucial.
Roberto Martinez's men came close to a second five minutes before half-time when De Bruyne's free-kick from the right set Thorgan Hazard on the edge of the area and his shot rattled Danny Ward's crossbar.
Wales almost scored a winner in the 83rd minute when Neco Williams' powerful shot forced a difficult save from Casteels, who lunged to his top left corner
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT FULL-TIME IN CARDIFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
90+4 CHANCE!
Woah, that was scary there!
Belgium get a late corner with De Bruyne and Boyata gets the header.
The ball goes towards Ward's bottom left corner but the keeper lunges and saves!
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
90+2 SUBSTITUTION
Wales manager Page makes his first change as Johnson replaces Ramsey.
Allen will be wearing the armband for the last few minutes
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
90 Six more minutes of stoppage time to go on account of a couple of injuries during the second half.
As it stands, Wales are seeded ahead of the World Cup play-off draw.
They need to make sure they don't concede from Belgium
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
88 CHANCE
Belgium register another shot as Vanzeir fires a long-range effort that doesn't trouble Ward
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
87 Belgium have made five changes so far whereas Wales haven't changed at all.
Expect Page to make some late substitutions to slow down tempo in the last few minutes of the game
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
85 SUBSTITUTION
Belgium manager Martinez makes a double change as Vertonghen and Trossard replace Theate and Meunier
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
83 WHAT A CHANCE!
Wales come extremely close to a second as Williams breaks in the area from the left flank and delivers a powerful, curling shot that forces a major save by Casteels.
Williams has been stunning tonight!
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
82 YELLOW CARD
Dendoncker gets booked for a rough challenge on James, who was on his way to a dangerous counter-attack
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
82 As it stands, Wales finish second in their group and are seeded ahead of the World Cup play-off draw.
The Dragons need to make sure they DON'T concede another one from Belgium as that would change everything!
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
80 YELLOW CARD
Wales star Moore is booked for a rough aerial challenge with Witsel
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
79 CHANCE
Belgium ace Witsel delivers a weak shot from the left flank but Ward saves it comfortably
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
78 Wales are putting so much into it in the second half, Belgium have struggled.
James has been especially dangerous down the left flank and the same goes for Williams and Ramsey in midfield
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
75 YELLOW CARD
Another booking for Belgium as Saelemaekers gets cautioned for a challenge on Williams
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
75 So far, so very good for Wales!
As it stands, the Dragons are seeded ahead of the World Cup play-off round
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
73 Both teams have been evenly-matched so far in Cardiff.
Wales are balancing the game in midfield but Belgium are still comfortable
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
71 YELLOW CARD
Hazard is booked for a late challenge that sees him stepping on Allen's foot
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
70 Bale is not on the pitch today but he's still in Cardiff rooting for his team-mates from the stands.
The Dragons haven't needed him so far, but will call on him in the World Cup play-offs
GETTY IMAGES WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
68 Moore and Boyata thankfully get back to their feet.
The Belgian will continue with a patch over his eye
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
65 CHANCE
Belgium ace De Bruyne delivers a corner-kick from the left side and it's met by Boyata's header, which misses the target.
The defender is receiving treatment as he appears to have suffered a cut over his eye.
Moore is also receiving treatment
WALES 1-1 BELGIUM
64 CHANCE
Hazard tries another long-range shot from the edge of the box but is deflected by Davies' head
