Good evening, and welcome to live coverage of Belgium versus Wales in this opening World Cup qualifier in UEFA Group E. World Cup qualifiers before the preceding European Championship has been played, I hear you cry? Yes, such is the rejigged football calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic, although this used to be commonplace for teams that hadn’t made it to the Euros. Both of these teams have, of course; Wales will be contesting their second in a row while Belgium, currently ranked number one in the world, will be one of the short-priced favourites for the title this summer. Tonight however is all about the road to Qatar 2022, and it starts in Leuven. Teams to follow shortly, let’s get about it.

World Cup Qualification UEFA / Matchday 1

King Power at Den Dreef Stadion / 24.03.2021

Belgium

Completed

Wales

K. De Bruyne(22')
T. Hazard(28')
R. Lukaku(73' PEN)

H. Wilson(10')

Live

Live Updates

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 24/03/2021 at 21:38 GMT

All
Highlights

End of 2nd Half

We're done here, Belgium have won it 3-1.

90+2'

Mertens comes off for Belgium, and it'll be a 20 second appearance for Leandro Trossard.

90'

Mepham tries a long, low ball into the channel for Moore, who hasn't read it and the ball drifts out for a goal kick. We'll have two additional minutes.

88'

Mertens tries a curler from outside the box, but it's a tame effort that bounces softly into the hands of Ward.

85'

Wales work a crossing chance for Connor Roberts, who overhits Moore in the middle. Williams retrieves the loose ball and wins a corner.

84'

Belgium make a change, as Hazard makes way for Timothy Castagne. For Wales, Kieffer Moore comes on for Bale.

82'

Bale and James try to combine in the Belgian area, but Bale's scooped pass is behind his colleague and Belgium clear.

78'

That could have been an interesting last quarter the way Wales were playing in this half, but the sting has gone right out of this now. Belgium are knocking it around for giggles in midfield.

75'

Roberts and Hazard have a little scuffle, the result of which is that Thorgan's name is taken by Cekir.

Yellow card

T. Hazard

Belgium

Goals1

Assists1

On target1

Yellow Cards1

75'

That could be the game. Connor Roberts almost gets in behind the Belgians, but Courtois is out to gather the ball.

73'

GOAL! Belgium 3 (Lukaku pen. 73) Wales 1

It's in! Lukaku coolly sends Ward the wrong way and tucks the ball low into the net.

Penalty

R. Lukaku

Belgium

Goals1

On target1

Blocked Shots1

Wide1

72'

PENALTY! De Bruyne finds Meunier, whose cross is tipped away on the stretch by Ward. It falls to Mertens, who gets to the ball just ahead of Mepham who brings him down.

70'

De Bruyne tries to flick the ball through to Lukaku, who is through but half a yard offside.

66'

A change for Wales, as Tyler Roberts comes on for Wilson.

T. Roberts

Wales

Off

H. Wilson

Wales

Goals1

On target1

Fouls against2

Free Kicks2

66'

CHANCE(S)! De Bruyne picks out Mertens with a stunning pass, and Mertens squares it across the area to Lukaku. It looks a clear hit, but Lawrence just about gets in a challenge to block the shot. The ball eventually breaks to De Bruyne on the edge, who lashes a wicked curling shot into the side-netting.

64'

Mertens nicks the ball off Ampadu in the middle of the Welsh half. He can't find Lukaku, and seemed to be clearly fouled as he played the ball, but it's waved on.

60'

A tremendous switch of play from Roberts gets Wales away down the left through Bale and then Williams. It comes to nought, but they're asking questions of Belgium here.

58'

Maybe a third of a chance for Wales here; Courtois is forced to rush a clearance, and is briefly out of position as Wales work the ball to James on the edge of the area. He slashes his shot hopelessly wide, but the visitors are right in this.

57'

More good stuff from Wales as James cuts in from the left and unloads, but his 20-yard strike is well wide of the far post.

56'

Mertens, who has been very quiet, escapes down the left for Belgium but his back heel for Hazard doesn't come off and the danger passes.

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