Craig Bellamy asks Wales gamers 'to know' as Belgium accused of 'lack of respect'
Wales fought again from three objectives right down to stage the scores of their World Cup qualifier in Belgium. just for Kevin De Bruyne, the previous Manchester Metropolis star, to attain a winner in a seven-goal thriller
Craig Bellamy patted his courageous Wales gamers on the again and gave them a boot up the bottom on the identical time after an evening of excessive drama in Brussels. And Sorba Thomas slammed Belgium over a "lack of respect" after the Welsh fought from three objectives down, solely to let Kevin De Bruyne blast residence the winner in a seven-goal thriller.
The Welsh appeared lifeless and buried after half and hour, trailing 3-0 to an impressed Belgium. However a Harry Wilson penalty on the stroke of half-time was the springboard for an unimaginable comeback that noticed them draw stage at 3-3 earlier than De Bruyne broke their hearts within the closing minutes.
Bellamy hailed his facet for his or her spirited response however reproached them for a half-hour horror present.
“I’ve to be sincere, since September I’ve actually felt proud to be their coach,” he stated. “However we didn’t deal with the momentum within the first half when their pen went in opposition to us. We suffered for a interval however then we bought a penalty and that gave us perception.
“Second half we confirmed what we are able to do. The gamers have to know how good they’re. To come back to a top-eight crew and to play that means will give us a lot. However I don’t just like the defeat and I don’t really feel ‘oh unfortunate Wales.’ We have to win these video games.”
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel names TWO groups who could have 'large benefit' in subsequent season's title raceREAD MORE: Robert Lewandowski accuses coach of "betraying" him as Barcelona star refuses to play
Thomas, who just lately sealed a transfer to Championship facet Stoke Metropolis after leaving League One Huddersfield, accused the Belgians and insisted Wales "received in our personal heads" regardless of the late heartbreak.
Article continues beneath
"I don't assume they confirmed us the respect we deserved,' stated Thomas. 'I feel they thought the sport was completed, however we confirmed our Welsh fireplace. We run via brick partitions for one another. Regardless that we misplaced, I really feel like we received in our personal heads.
Bellamy had not suffered defeat since being appointed Wales head coach final July, going 9 video games unbeaten. So to be 3-0 down inside half-hour will need to have come as one hell of a shock.
De Bruyne earned Belgium a penalty early on when his shot hit Brennan Johnson’s arm. It appeared a really harsh name by the referee however VAR had an extended look and agreed with the choice. Ex-Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, who received Serie A with Napoli this time period, made no mistake from the spot.
The lead was doubled lower than 5 minutes later when Belgium captain Youri Tielemans was teed up by Leandro Trossard and fired into the highest nook. It went from dangerous to worse for Wales when Manchester Metropolis ’s Jeremy Doku, in electrical type all night time, made it 3-0, although Wales keeper Karl Darlow maybe ought to have completed higher together with his left-footed shot.
The Dragons appeared outfought, outclassed, and out of concepts. However they gave themselves a glimmer of hope in stoppage time. Thomas’s nook was aimed in direction of Chris Mepham, who was clattered by Belgium keeper Matz Sels. Wales had been awarded a penalty which Wilson slotted residence together with his left foot.
That glimmer was an actual alternative six minutes after the break when Sorba Thomas coolly completed for his first objective for his nation. Rapidly the comeback was most positively on.
And Thomas turned supplier for a dramatic equaliser, his header being nodded residence by Johnson as Belgium followers appeared on in disbelief.
As Wales pressed onerous for a winner, Belgium broke rapidly and Lukaku thought he’d received it however, after one other prolonged VAR test, it was deemed the ball had earlier gone out of play proper below the nostril of a massively animated Bellamy.
De Bruyne did win it late on, although, expertly volleying residence on the again publish from a Tielemans cross, with the Wales gamers on their knees. Wales captain Ben Davies stated the De Bruyne winner was an actual sickener.
“Getting again as shut as we did might be why the result’s as painful as it’s,” he stated. “We knew we might do so much higher. You can see within the second half, we managed to nick a objective earlier than half-time and it gave us one thing to hold on to and we pushed them shut.
“We’ve got lots extra video games we simply should concentrate on ourselves and hopefully outcomes go our means.”
Be a part of our new WhatsApp group and obtain your each day dose of Mirror Soccer content material. We additionally deal with our group members to particular gives, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions. If you happen to don't like our group, you may try any time you want. If you happen to're curious, you may learn our Privacy Notice.
Article continues belowSky Sports activities discounted Premier League and EFL packageThis article accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
£43£35SkyGet the deal right here
Sky has slashed the worth of its Important TV and Sky Sports activities bundle forward of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and providing greater than 1,400 reside matches throughout the Premier League, EFL and extra.
Sky will present a minimum of 215 reside Premier League video games subsequent season, a rise of as much as 100 extra.