Kevin De Bruyne nets late as Belgium edge Wales in 4-3 thriller
Belgium vs Wales
On a tense Monday evening in Brussels, Kevin De Bruyne emerged as Belgium's savior, delivering a crucial winner just two minutes from the final whistle to secure a dramatic 4-3 home victory over a resilient Wales side in their World Cup qualifying clash for the 2026 finals in North America. The match, a rollercoaster of emotions for the home crowd, saw Belgium surge to a commanding 3-0 lead within the first half hour, only to watch in disbelief as Wales mounted an improbable comeback to level the score, turning the game into a nervy, end-to-end spectacle. It was a contest defined by controversy, with two penalties, multiple lengthy interventions by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and a flurry of goals that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Belgium, one of Europe’s footballing powerhouses, had looked set to cruise to victory early on, showcasing their attacking prowess and fluid interplay, but Wales, driven by determination and tactical adjustments, refused to capitulate. The Red Devils, as Belgium are nicknamed, were left sweating as their early dominance evaporated, and it took the brilliance of their talismanic midfielder, De Bruyne, to rescue three potentially vital points in Group J of the qualifiers. For the home side, this win was a lifeline in a competitive group, where every point could prove decisive in securing a ticket to the expanded 2026 World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. De Bruyne’s late intervention not only spared Belgium’s blushes but also underscored his enduring importance to a team in transition, blending seasoned stars like himself and Romelu Lukaku with a younger generation eager to make their mark on the international stage. The match, played under the bright lights of the King Baudouin Stadium, was a testament to the unpredictability of football, where momentum can shift in an instant, and individual brilliance can turn the tide in the dying moments.
Belgium’s blistering start had set the tone early, with the home side displaying the kind of attacking flair that has made them a feared outfit in recent years, even as their golden generation begins to age. It all began in the 15th minute when Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s record goalscorer and a towering presence up front, calmly dispatched a penalty to give his side the lead. The spot-kick came after a chaotic sequence initiated by none other than Kevin De Bruyne, whose point-blank strike from close range struck the arm of Wales defender Brennan Johnson, prompting a lengthy VAR review. The decision, though debated by the Welsh players and staff, was upheld, and Lukaku made no mistake, slotting the ball past Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow to notch his 89th goal in a Belgium shirt—a remarkable tally that cements his status as one of the country’s all-time greats. Just four minutes later, Belgium doubled their advantage through a sweeping, textbook counter-attack that showcased their ability to transition from defense to offense with devastating speed. De Bruyne, ever the orchestrator, was at the heart of it, intercepting a loose ball in midfield and igniting the move with a burst of pace and vision. The ball flowed from the right flank to the left, with wing-back Maxim De Cuyper delivering a precise square pass into the box, where captain Youri Tielemans arrived with perfect timing to slam it home, leaving Darlow with no chance. The goal was a product of Belgium’s trademark fluidity, with De Bruyne’s intelligence and Tielemans’ dynamism combining to punish a Welsh defense still reeling from the early setback. The home fans, already in full voice, were sent into raptures in the 27th minute when Jérémy Doku, the electrifying young winger, added a third with a moment of individual brilliance. Doku, known for his quick feet and fearless dribbling, picked up the ball on the right side of the attack, teasing and tormenting the Welsh defenders with a series of feints and step-overs. Just when it seemed he might be crowded out, he cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a powerful drive that Darlow got a hand to but couldn’t keep out, the ball rocketing into the net to make it 3-0. At that point, Belgium appeared to be in complete control, their attacking trio of Lukaku, Doku, and De Bruyne firing on all cylinders, while their midfield, anchored by Tielemans, dictated the tempo with precision and poise. For Wales, the scoreline looked ominous, and their hopes of a result in Brussels seemed to be slipping away as the first half ticked on.
Yet, Wales, a team known for their grit and never-say-die attitude, were handed a lifeline in stoppage time of the first half, shifting the momentum in a way few could have predicted. The turning point came when Belgium goalkeeper Matz Sels, under pressure from a Welsh set-piece, attempted to punch clear a high ball but was adjudged to have fouled defender Chris Mepham in the process. Another lengthy VAR check ensued, with the referee eventually pointing to the spot, much to the frustration of the Belgian players and the home crowd. Harry Wilson, the creative heartbeat of the Welsh side, stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, sending Sels the wrong way to pull the score back to 3-1 just before the break. The goal breathed new life into Wales, who returned for the second half with renewed belief and a tactical tweak from their manager, Rob Page, who urged his players to press higher and exploit the spaces behind Belgium’s advancing full-backs. The fightback gained traction in the 61st minute when Wilson, again proving his worth, delivered a sublime cross-field pass from the right, finding Sorba Thomas in acres of space on the left. Thomas, a dynamic winger with a knack for direct play, took a touch to steady himself before drilling a low shot past Sels, reducing the deficit to 3-2 and setting the stage for a grandstand finish. The Welsh resurgence continued in the 70th minute, with Wilson once again the architect, this time floating a precise ball back across the goal from a set-piece. Thomas rose highest to nod it down, and Brennan Johnson, the young forward eager to make amends for the earlier penalty incident, pounced to bundle the ball home, stunning the home crowd into silence as the scoreboard read 3-3. Wales, against all odds, had clawed their way back from a three-goal deficit, their tenacity and teamwork exposing cracks in a Belgian defense that had looked so assured early on. For a moment, it seemed as though the visitors might even snatch a famous victory, their momentum and confidence surging as Belgium struggled to regain their rhythm.
However, Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City maestro and Belgium’s undisputed leader, had other ideas, stepping up when his team needed him most to deliver a moment of magic in the 88th minute. With time running out and the prospect of a draw looming large, Youri Tielemans, the captain, launched a long, searching cross from the right side of the pitch, aiming for the far post. De Bruyne, displaying his uncanny ability to read the game, ghosted in unmarked, evading the tiring Welsh defenders with a perfectly timed run. He met the ball with a controlled, back-post finish, guiding it past Darlow to restore Belgium’s lead and send the home crowd into a frenzy of relief and celebration. The goal was a testament to De Bruyne’s class, composure, and relentless drive, qualities that have made him one of the world’s premier midfielders and a cornerstone of Belgium’s ambitions. The final whistle blew shortly after, confirming a 4-3 victory that felt far more hard-fought than the early stages had suggested. For Wales, the late heartbreak was a bitter pill to swallow, their valiant comeback undone by a single moment of brilliance from a world-class opponent. The result saw them slip to second in the Group J standings with seven points from four matches, trailing North Macedonia, who had earlier secured a 1-0 away win over Kazakhstan to move to eight points. Belgium, with four points from two fixtures, remained in the hunt, their campaign bolstered by De Bruyne’s heroics but tempered by defensive frailties that will need addressing if they are to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
In the broader context, this match highlighted the fine margins that define World Cup qualifying, where individual quality, tactical discipline, and a touch of fortune can make all the difference. For Belgium, the win was a vital step in a competitive group, but questions linger about their ability to maintain consistency against determined opponents like Wales. The Red Devils will need to shore up their backline and harness the attacking talents of Lukaku, Doku, and De Bruyne if they are to secure a spot in North America. For Wales, the defeat was a setback, but their spirited performance offered hope for the battles ahead, with players like Wilson, Thomas, and Johnson proving they can compete with the best. As the road to the 2026 World Cup continues, both teams will reflect on a night of drama, controversy, and unforgettable moments, with De Bruyne’s late strike likely to be remembered as a defining chapter in Belgium’s qualifying journey.
