In 10 years, the Wales vs Belgium rivalry has been a scourge of Welsh football. Since the euphoric quarter-final win in Euro 2016, the squealing qualifiers by Cardiff, and ever since, Belgium have been the benchmark by which Wales gauge their advancement. Yet Monday night, with the floodlights on and the beating of his heart, was magic done.
The 4-2 loss to Belgium not only eliminated the chance of Wales attaining automatic qualification to the 2026 world cup but has also raised a divided opinion over their line of thought under the management of Craig Bellamy. It was a passionate, goal-orientated and promising night only to be broken by tragedy and to place the Dragons in another perilous maze through the playoffs.
Fast Start, Familiar Finish
Wales began with fire. In a few minutes they were snapping at the heels of Belgium high in the air, and making turns which were indicative of belief, not of fear. The ghosts of Bordeault 2016 were revived a few seconds. But Belgium composed and sterile was a reminder to all that they have won neither the world cup nor European qualifiers since 2015- an astonishing 46 matches to go- and they did it in the most cold blooded way.
As soon as Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku started imposing their will the power balance turned the other way around. The pressing of Wales, admirable as it was, left acres of space in it and Belgium exploited it with as inhuman a cleverness as she could have used. The result of the last game: 4-2 did not only represent the weakness in defense it highlighted the narrow strokes between audacity and audacity at the top.
The goalless draw of Belgium against North Macedonia had given momentarily the door to Wales. The three victories of their last matches would have won the leading position of Group J and a ticket to North America. Oh that door banged behind in Brussels style disorder.
Similar to the 4-3 loss at the beginning of this year, the ambition of Wales to attack backfired. There were cracks left behind by every successive charge. And when Jeremy Doku is creeping those cracks turn chasms. The winger bothered the Welsh defence once more, with De Bruyne playing an organist, directing the rhythm and playing with transition moments so inhumanly.
It is instructive, how Bellamy explained himself after the match:
We thought the best method of fighting them would be to have the ball. We made the opportunities but when the ball goes the other way around with a person like Jeremy then it is risky. I was aware of his goodness when I coached him at Anderlecht.
Such knowledge did not help to make it any harder to stop him.
The loss is after a bloody thankless weekend on the part of Bellamy. A friendly loss of 3 to 0 by England at Wembley had already led to loss of confidence and criticism over choice of fixtures. The recent defeat will increase the scrutiny even further, as the defensive performance of the team has collapsed (12 goals are being conceded in five matches, which gives a very worrying image).
Nevertheless, the attitude dispensed by Bellamy after the game promised of a man who was not deterred by the crowd. I will continue to press, I will continue to press, he insisted. “I won’t sit back. This is who I am.”
That resistance may still spell out the way of Wales. As a young team that will need to move onto the 2026 stage since the Gareth Bale-Aaron Ramsey days, it will need a fairly solid backbone, not just a good one. We have now beckoned the old, uncertain friend of Wales, the play-offs.
The Emotional Fallout
There was no need to narrate what happened because the images spoke louder than words at the final whistle. Players dropped to the floor with blanked eyes and knew how near they had got to another historic night. To the fans, it was an encore performance, same tragedy, same hope that there could be something greater.
Bellamy admitted that bond, stating that his team was a part of him, a side that had everything wrong with it and yet a side with a heart. The fact that humility can win more fans to his side that P are about passion and pride, results less.
This defeat does not make the dream of World Cup an end to Wales, it just gives the world a different path. It will be dangerous, of course, to play-offs, but not a new experience. Wales have passed through this road before, and they are aware of what it requires to come out succeeding.
To Bellamy and his team, the next few months will be more than just about qualification they will determine whether heart-in-mouth football can actually become something that can be sustained.
With our dust just settling on yet another epic Wales vs Belgium game, there is only now the truth which stands and it is that fire still burns in Wales. It all depends on the way they shall be able to turn that smouldering heart into moderation and faith that will illumine their path to 2026.
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