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Wales have stunned Belgium and the rest of Europe, taking a 3-1 win over the continent’s top-ranked team to book a semi-final meeting with Portugal.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Wales 3
Belgium 1
The quarter-finals continue in Euro 2016, as Wales face Belgium in Lille for the opportunity to face Portugal in the semi-finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am (AEST) on Saturday morning.
Following the respective qualifications of these two nations for Euro 2016, having battled in the same group, all eyes were on the eminent rise of Belgium, having crowned themselves as the highest European ranked nation, surpassing the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy et al – esteemed names indeed.
Wales themselves had established history during qualification – having become the first Welsh side since 1958 to qualify for a major tournament. But trinkets such as mere qualification or high ranks cannot compare to a chance to enter the business end, where wins are the only currency that matter.
Since Belgium’s shock opening day loss against Italy, the Red Devils have barely put a foot wrong. They fired a warning sign to the competition in the Round of 16, having dismissed Hungary with consummate ease.
Possessing arguably the greatest collective of individual players in this tournament, Belgium now face the team with the world’s most expensive footballer.
Belgium’s ploy to limit the creative and industrious Welsh midfield will likely fall to the towering Marouane Fellaini.
While the Manchester United beanpole forward is not everyone’s cup of tea, he is unquestionably the player most likely to break up Wales’ forward momentum, and can enable the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne to supply Romelu Lukaku up top. The inclusion of Fellaini may come at the expense of either Radja Naingolan or Axel Witsel in midfield.
Coach Marc Wilmots may also encourage his back four to push up with a high line to nullify the space that Gareth Bale or Hal Robson-Kanu can run onto.
For Wales, there is certain satisfaction of entering the quarter-finals, coupled with England’s demise on Monday morning. But they needn’t settle on making up the numbers – such has been their conviction in their displays during this tournament.
While all eyes naturally fall to Bale, the likes of Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley have been influential in allowing Wales to build from the back of their hardworking defence.
From the outside, Wales’ approach seems tailor-made to cause an upset in Lille, with Belgium’s defence their possible one weak point.
On that note, Wales may look to stay tight in midfield, and allow Bale to be their outlet on the counterattack where he can be most effective.
Belgium are the favourites, despite Wales finishing the better during the group stage. But the way is clear for both teams to win, and this game will be more captivating for it.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am (AEST) on Saturday morning.
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