Kevin de Bruyne At The Double! Belgium Down Wales In Must-Win Clash

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 07:51 IST

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne scored two penalties in a 4-2 victory over Wales, boosting World Cup hopes and moving Belgium top of Group J.

Kevin de Bruyne scored twice from penalties in Belgium's win over Wales (Picture credit: AP)

Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne scored two penalties as Belgium strengthened their World Cup qualification hopes with a crucial 4-2 win against Wales on Monday.

Rudi Garcia’s side initially fell behind to Joe Rodon’s early goal at the Cardiff City Stadium.

However, De Bruyne equalised from the penalty spot, and Thomas Meunier put Belgium ahead before the break.

De Bruyne scored another penalty late in the game, and although Nathan Broadhead pulled one back for Wales, Leandro Trossard sealed the win for Belgium, who moved to the top of Group J.

Belgium now lead the group by one point over second-placed North Macedonia, who drew 1-1 with Kazakhstan on Monday.

Belgium will bag their World Cup spot if they win either of their remaining games against Kazakhstan or Liechtenstein next month.

The Red Devils have remained unbeaten in World Cup or European Championship qualifiers for 46 games since Gareth Bale led Wales to a shock victory over them in 2015.

Wales are in third place, four points behind Belgium, missing an opportunity to edge closer to next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Craig Bellamy’s team have two games left to play, while North Macedonia have one game remaining.

Belgium’s goalless draw at home against North Macedonia on Friday had placed Wales’ World Cup destiny in their own hands.

Wales knew that winning their last three matches would secure a World Cup spot.

However, they now face a potential play-off route if they cannot surpass Belgium, with an upcoming trip to Liechtenstein followed by a home game against North Macedonia.

“We knew we needed to win. We had momentum, but the penalty gave them a lift and even the crowd died down," Bellamy said.

“I have no complaints about the second penalty. But the first… what are we supposed to do with our hands? This is not sour grapes.

“We didn’t deserve it at that time. We had to react, but they reacted better in that period. It’s no consolation, but let’s get the next six points."

Wales were previously defeated 4-3 by Belgium in Brussels in June, with De Bruyne scoring the late winner.

Once again, the Napoli midfielder proved to be their nemesis.

Wales’ strong start earned them a deserved lead in the eighth minute when Leeds defender Rodon capitalised on Belgium’s poor marking, heading home from Sorba Thomas’s corner.

But against the run of play, Belgium were given a lifeline in the 18th minute.

Charles De Ketelaere’s long-range shot struck Ethan Ampadu’s arm in the area.

Ampadu hardly moved his arm away from his body, but Daniel Siebert awarded the penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor, and De Bruyne calmly sent Karl Darlow the wrong way from the spot.

If the visitors’ first goal was controversial, there was no disputing the merit of their second in the 24th minute.

Thomas was caught off guard as the unstoppable Jeremy Doku raced into space on the right flank, delivering a low cross into the Wales area.

Meunier timed his run perfectly, guiding a clinical finish past Darlow from a tight angle.

Bellamy made a bold decision by dropping Brennan Johnson after his recent struggles, but needing inspiration after Belgium took control, he brought on the Tottenham winger in the 58th minute.

However, Johnson’s most notable contribution was to chase away a rat that briefly halted play after it ran onto the pitch.

As the rat left Wales’ sinking ship, Bellamy’s men were finished off in the 76th minute.

Jordan James unnecessarily handled Trossard’s flick in the area, and the calm De Bruyne once again slotted home from the spot.

Broadhead’s 89th-minute finish from the edge of the area, after Kieffer Moore robbed Trossard, seemed to set up a tense finale.

But Trossard quickly made amends, scoring from Timothy Castagne’s cross to secure Belgium’s victory.

(With AFP Inputs)

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