Wales laid waste to Belgium’s superstars, winning 3-1 and making history.
As Ashley Williams wept with joy, and Land of my Fathers rang out at full time, the magnitude of Wales’ achievement reverberated around France. Staring down a richly stocked Belgian team of elite players – albeit one rather understaffed in defence – the Welsh heart pumped more vigorously, and theirs was a wholly deserved victory. Belgium started viciously, peppering the Welsh goal, a whirring haze of Hazard-led attacking. Nainggolan’s opening goal rammed home the task with aplomb, and it was an absolute pile-driver.
But Wales emerged from the wreckage of their concession, passing neatly, keeping possession, slowly creeping back into the contest. Ashley Williams took advantage of the some torrid defending at a corner, and suddenly the Belgian lustre faded a little. Hazard became frazzled. Lukaku toiled, frustrated. A genuine Belgian penalty was turned down. The Welsh will was too strong, even in the face of periods of Belgian dominance. A historic semi final with Portugal awaits, and this remarkable maiden tour rolls on.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Here are the player ratings.
Wales
Hennessey – 7: Got fingers to Nainggolan’s crushing drive, but was unable to keep it out. Had little to do, but did it with vigour.
Davies – 8: Was part of the three-man effort to suppress Romelu Lukaku. Headed well, as the game ran into the final stretch.
A. Williams – 9: Deflected Hazard’s shot after five minutes, preventing a goal. Headed in the equaliser from a Ramsay corner. Was a tower of strength.
Chester – 8: Blocked a goal-bound shot off the line early. Booked after 15 minutes. Cleared a dangerous cross from close to his own line in the second half.
Taylor – 7: Had a stiff tap-in repelled by Courtois. Was calm in possession.
Gunter – 8: Defended sternly, and provided good utility support in attack. Clipped in the perfect cross for Vokes to seal it.
Ledley – 7: Looked sloppy early, giving away possession. Passing improved, and tackled with relish. Substituted.
Allen – 8: His tidiness was crucial to Wales clambering back into the contest. Again, a vital metronome.
Bale – 7: Smashed a sighter into the side netting after ten minutes. Galloped at the back line and shot well after half an hour. Was far from the best player, but ran hard.
Ramsey – 8: Swooped in the corner for Williams to head in. Delivery from set pieces was superb. Booked, and will miss the semi. Tireless. Substituted.
Robson-Kanu – 9: Spooned a header high and wide early on. Buffeted his defenders with relish. Turned sublimely, and slotted in Wales’ second goal. Substituted.
Substitutes
King – : N/A
Vokes – 8: Scored the clinching third goal, a soaring, textbook header, sending Wales into raptures.
Collins – : N/A
Belgium
Courtois – 7: Made an astonishing save from Neil Taylor’s close-range shot.
Meunier – 6: Fluffed his few crossing opportunities, but defended smartly.
Alderweireld – 6: Did an extremely poor job, as the senior defender on the pitch, arranging his defence.
Denayer – 5: Appeared unable to organise himself, especially at set pieces. Positionally unsound.
J. Lukaku – 4: Left Williams totally free at a corner, allowing the Welshman to score. He repeated the trick again before halftime, but Williams’ header was high. Awful. Substituted.
Witsel – 5: Was fairly absent from any noteworthy events, defensively or offensively.
Nainggolan – 7: Belted in a howitzer of an opening goal, from 30 metres out.
Carrasco – 5: Only flickered in the first half, unimpressively, and was removed at half time.
De Bruyne – 6: Drolly roamed, a lithe and varied threat. Faded as the game went on. Hit a very tame free kick down the middle of the goal in the second half.
Hazard – 6: Scurried menacingly down the left flank, but didn’t produce any clear, cool moments of incision. His flailed shot in added time summed it up.
R. Lukaku – 6: Collected and turned strongly with the ball in deeper areas, but was impotent further up the pitch. Flashed a header wide at the start of the second half. Substituted.
Substitutes
Fellaini – 6: Was one of three defenders desperately at fault for Wales’ second goal. An aerial threat, but one marshalled well by Wales.
Mertens – 6: Tried hard, but his quickness was surrounded by tired teammates.
Batshuayi – : N/A
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