
The main talking points as Wales prepare to face Belgium in World Cup qualifying
Wales head to Belgium for Monday's crunch World Cup qualifier in confident mood.
Craig Bellamy extended his unbeaten start as manager to nine games with Friday's 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein as Wales went top of the group.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Brussels clash at the King Baudouin Stadium.
Bellamy on the attack
Wales boss Bellamy wasted no time in outlining his Brussels battle plan after beating Liechtenstein made it seven points from nine in World Cup qualifying.
'We go there and I'm not camping,' Bellamy said. 'I'm not sitting back. It's not in my make-up. I can't do it.'
These were bold words from Bellamy, who knows Belgium present the acid test of his Wales reign.
Wilson – from boy to man
Harry Wilson was very much a boy when making his Wales debut in Belgium 12 years ago.
At the age of 16 years and 207 days he became Wales' youngest-ever player – a record he still holds to this day.
A dozen years on and Wilson is now Wales' main man, his second-half header against Liechtenstein his fifth goal in seven games since Bellamy took charge.
No Neco real blow for Wales
The only sour note of the Liechtenstein win was the early loss of Neco Williams to injury.
The Nottingham Forest full-back, one of the few Premier League regulars in the Wales squad, has been a stand-out player under Bellamy and will be a real miss in Brussels.
Jay Dasilva replaced Williams on Friday and set up Wilson's goal with a fine cross, but Ben Davies could revert to left-back in Brussels with Chris Mepham partnering Joe Rodon at the heart of the defence.
'Difficult' Doku to haunt Bellamy?
Bellamy coached Jeremy Doku during his time as Anderlecht Under-21 coach and admits the Manchester City winger was 'difficult' to work with.
But Bellamy said Doku's drive was 'insane' and that he helped him become a better coach.
Doku has reached the Premier League via Rennes and could now return to haunt Bellamy on the international stage.
Has Belgium's golden glow faded?
The FIFA world rankings would have it that Belgium are the eighth best team in the world.
But Belgium, who once topped the rankings, have only one win in eight games and began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday.
Former Lyon boss Rudi Garcia was perhaps a curious choice to take over as head coach in January, and only a few ageing members of the so-called 'Golden Generation' such as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
31 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Luciano Spalletti claims he has been sacked by Italy after Norway humiliation
Luciano Spalletti has been sacked from his role as Italy's coach, the manager said on Sunday, following their heavy loss to Norway, but will take charge of Monday's game against Moldova. Spalletti made the announcement at a press conference after Norway stunned Italy with a 3-0 win on Friday, handing the visitors a humiliating start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. 'Last night we were together with [Italian football federation] president [Gabriele] Gravina. He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team,' Spalletti said. 'I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I'll be there tomorrow evening against Moldova, then we'll resolve the contract.' Spalletti's apparent dismissal comes after less than two years in the role, having replaced Roberto Mancini and taken charge in September 2023. While Spalletti took Italy to Euro 2024, their disappointing performance there had already put the manager under pressure. Italy went into the Euros last year in Germany as defending champions but after winning their opening game against Albania, they lost to Spain and snatched a late draw with Croatia to make the last 16, where they were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland. Spalletti's side seemed to have recovered as they put in an impressive Nations League campaign, beating France 3-1 away and losing just once. They lost at home to Les Bleus in the final group game to finish behind France on goal difference. Italy began this year with a 2-1 loss at the San Siro in their Nations League quarter-final first leg with Germany and found themselves 3-0 down at half-time in the return game in Dortmund. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The Azzurri came back to salvage a draw but missed out on a semi-final place and when they fell 3-0 behind at the break against Norway, this time Italy had no reply. The loss left Spalletti's side already facing an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for next year's World Cup, and after Italy missed out on the last two finals, the Italian football federation (FIGC) decided to act.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Paolini and 'legend' Errani win women's doubles title
French Open 2025Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland GarrosCoverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app Jasmine Paolini called partner Sara Errani a "legend" and an "inspiration" after they clinched the French Open women's doubles and Paolini beat Kazakh Anna Danilina and Serb Aleksandra Krunic 6-4 2-6 6-1 on Court Philippe Italian duo won Olympic gold on the same court in Paris last summer and have now added a first Grand Slam title together to their growing 29, reached both the women's singles and doubles final at last year's French Open but lost in the fourth round of this year's singles."I want to thank Sara," Paolini said. "It has been her last tournament in singles here and I want to say thank you very much. You are an inspiration for me."You are a great champion and a great person. You have made me a better player and it's great to share these special moments with you. You are a legend." Errani, 38, previously said this would be her last time playing singles at Roland Garros and she ultimately lost in the second round of had already completed the doubles Golden Slam - winning each of the four majors - but now boast six Grand Slam titles to her name, including two at the French also won the mixed doubles title alongside compatriot Andrea Vavassori on Thursday."This is the best court in the world, I have the best memories here and it's so special for me," Errani said."Sometimes you are not enjoying it 100% because you can't stop and feel it, but right now I'm feeling it. "I'm trying to realise what we are doing and it's so big. Winning a Grand Slam is such a big thing."Second seeds Errani and Paolini had not dropped a set en route to the final but were taken the distance by Danilina and and Paolini broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set but Danilina and Krunic hit straight back, restoring parity with a break of their own at the fifth Italians wrapped up a 55-minute set with a break of serve in the 10th game, signalling another routine victory could be on the Danilina and Krunic came out fighting, earning two breaks to get on the board and force a momentum was quickly wrestled away, though, when Krunic and Danilina were each broken on their first service games and their Italian rivals raced to the finish line.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
‘I know the facts' – Rasmus Hojlund breaks silence on Man Utd exit rumours as Champions League giants line up transfer
RASMUS HOJLUND has broken his silence on reports that suggest he will leave Manchester United. Rumours began to circulate earlier this week that the Red Devils want to cut their losses on the 22-year-old this summer. 1 Hojlund is said to be on the radar of Inter Milan, who could be willing to splash £40million on him. But the striker revealed he expects to remain at Old Trafford for next season. Hojlund told Sport TV2 after Denmark beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in a friendly yesterday: "I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United. "I'm looking forward to going on a summer holiday and then I'm fully dedicated to the project that's underway. "I know I can't get much out of reading things. "I know what the facts are - and that is that I have a contract with Manchester United until 2030. "I expect to play there, so I'm just getting ready for a summer holiday and then hopefully a good pre-season." Hojlund arrived from Atalanta two years ago in a deal worth an initial £64million, with £8million in potential add-ons. But the Dane has struggled to live up to the price tag, scoring just ten goals in 52 appearances in the season just finished. Despite his Man Utd difficulties, Hojlund is still rated highly in Italy and Napoli have also been linked with a shock swoop. Matheus Cunha. A reunion with Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres is on the cards for £60m. And SunSport can exclusively reveal that Tottenham will battle Man Utd for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.