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.
Welshmancom
Guest
My post was copied from an Aussie comment on England when they got beaten by Iceland. Yes their biggest stars do play EPL but they seem to get outplayed by Vardy, Kane et-al.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Actually most of Belgiums biggest stars playing in England haha
Welshman
Guest
English championship proves superior to the European leagues. Belgium were very very average. They lack world class players.and yet before every tournament fans think they are a chance. They'll probably sack their manager yet the candidates for the next man are all mediocre Belgians. Any success Belgium has had in sport is with foreign coaches.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Cymru am Byth! :-)
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Good to see the Welsh football team has more mental steel and composure than their rugby team.
SM
Guest
Absolutely bloody brilliant!!!!!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report FULLTIME: Wales 3-1 Belgium Thanks for your company on a memorable morning of European football. It can be hard at times to wake up in the freezing wee hours of the morning, but games of this calibre make it worthwhile beyond measure. I'll let the Welsh crowd join their players in united chants and claps, while I slink off to vote on this election day. I'll be back tomorrow morning for a meeting of the titans - Germany versus Italy. Join me at 4.45am tomorrow morning. At fulltime in Lille, it has finished Wales 3-1 Belgium, and Wales progress to the Euro 2016 semi-finals where they will meet Portugal on Thursday morning! A very good morning to all of you. FULLTIME: Wales 3-1 Belgium
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Wales 3-1 Belgium The celebrations have truly well begun if you a dragon, not a devil in Lille. Work is still there, but no one in their wildest dreams could have imagined this. The Belgian players thank their fans, and slink off into the rooms as the stage is left for Wales to continue celebrating. This tournament really has shown the value of heart and industry over mere skill and reputation. The downfalls of England and Spain are telling, as is the advancement of Iceland and Wales. On the evidence, you simply cannot discount Wales now against the Portuguese. FULLTIME: Wales 3-1 Belgium
AZ_RBB
Guest
Big fan of both Ronaldo and Bale. Will just enjoy the spectacle.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Final moments of a thrilling contest, and that is it! It is beyond conception, but the team that were left out of the major party for near 60 years have announced themselves in style! Wales move to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, where they will meet Portugal on Thursday morning in Lyon! They have done so by accounting for Europe's top-ranked team, as Belgium are bundled out! They were a goal down by a stunning strike by Radja Nainggolan, but they never lost hope. They equalised via their captain Ashley Williams, but they never lost sight of the task. They led for the first time via an individual piece of brilliance by Hal Robson-Kanu, but they never lost their head. Then the result was sealed via Sam Vokes, and they have secured a piece of history that can never be taken away. We now have Portugal v Wales - two teams cut from two starkly different cloths. We have Ronaldo versus Bale - think about that. FULLTIME: Wales 3-1 Belgium
Stevo
Roar Rookie
England defeated by Iceland. Wales to the semis. Brexit, Trump. The world's off its axis. Wales shows that a well coached team with a fantastic mentality can overcome. Incredible.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Three minutes of added time, and Hennessey comes out confidently to meet an attempted cross from Meunier. The Welsh red in the stadium break into Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Now an ambitious shot from far away by Hazard, and that sums up their lost hopes now. It is all over for this Belgium team, which looked like champions, who have been brought by this superb Welsh side of industry and skill. The class of 1958 are set to be surpassed. Wales 3-1 Belgium
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Final change Wales, as James Collins is on for Aaron Ramsey. Belgium about to be sent back over the border, which is only mere miles from Lille! SUBSTITUTION (WALES) OFF: 10. Ramsey ON: 19. Collins Wales 3-1 Belgium
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'88: Free kick Belgium, who need something fast. It's delivered into the penalty area, and they now get a throw via Taylor. Wales all behind the ball now. They only have minutes to survive now with a two-goal cushion! Wales 3-1 Belgium
Stevo
Roar Rookie
f%$^* yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: GAME OVER IN LILLE, AND IN A GAME OF SUPERB INDIVIDUAL GOALS, THIS IS RIGHT UP THERE! Innocuous cross in from Gunter from the right, and it finds its path to Vokes, who is only just on the field, and he heads it across the outstretched right arm of Thibaut Courtois, and Wales are about to knock out the top-ranked European side! What a moment of glory awaiting for Welsh football! Belgium are out, save for the most astonishing of comebacks! Wales 3-1 Belgium
Welshman
Guest
Well deserved. Where's Fadida now?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Anyone else go mental celebrating that goal despite not having a drop of Welsh blood in them?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
WHAT A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Corner for Belgium, as de Bruyne's cross is cleared first time, and then Wales attempt to counter at speed via Bale, who individually has been quieter, but he has ever a part of this ensemble. Now a free kick for Wales, as Alderweireld essentially backs into Ramsey, who is winded in the process. It's a yellow card for Alderweireld. A Spurs-Arsenal clash that. GOAL - WALES (VOKES) Wales 3-1 Belgium