Tielemans leads Belgium to victory over Wales
Youri Tielemans supplied a goal and an assist as Belgium beat Wales 4-3 in a dramatic World Cup qualifier in Brussels on Monday.The Aston Villa midfielder was captaining his country for the fifth time and played a vital role in their victory, with club colleague Amadou Onana alongside him.With Belgium already a goal up, Tielemans finished off after neat play down the left-hand side to double lead after just 19 minutes.Despite Belgium scoring again, Wales got one back before the break and managed to score twice after the restart to bring the game level.However, with just two minutes remaining, it was Tielemans' perfect cross in to the far post that set up the winner for Manchester City legend Kevin de Bruyne.The result marks Belgium's first victory in World Cup qualifying following a disappointing draw against North Macedonia in their opening game.Now 28, Tielemans has racked up 77 appearances for his country.
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Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Belgium will be ‘shaking in boots' ahead of Wales game in Cardiff
Belgium inflicted Craig Bellamy's first defeat as Wales head coach with an extraordinary 4-3 World Cup qualifying victory in Brussels on Monday. The Red Devils, ranked eighth in the world, let slip a three-goal lead before Kevin De Bruyne spared home blushes with an 88th-minute winner. Sorba Thomas (left) battles for the ball with Belgium's Jeremy Doku in Brussels (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) The return fixture is in Cardiff on October 13 and new Stoke signing Thomas said of Belgium: 'That's a team that is top 10. People will say 'little old Wales' but we took the game to them. 'They're going to be shaking in their boots when they come to Cardiff to play us. We're hungry, we're a young group. 'I felt when it went to 3-3 it was in our hands. But it's a devastating game, football is a horrible sport sometimes. (Against) top 10 in the world and we feel we should have walked away with a win.' Wales seemed to be heading for a humiliating night when Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku struck inside the opening 27 minutes. Brennan Johnson (second right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring Wales' third goal against Belgium (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) There was a party atmosphere inside the King Baudouin Stadium as home supporters began a Mexican wave. Thomas said: 'Them behaving like that put it down to the pitch. The players got relaxed and we punished that. 'They might have been doing the Mexican wave but they weren't doing it when it went to 3-3. 'They're entitled to do what they want, but we deal with what's on the pitch. The whole game shifted. 'They countered us a few times, but I felt we played their big players well. 'We're a young team and we're going places. That's one loss in 10. We'll learn from this and get better and better.' After Harry Wilson converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, winger Thomas scored his first Wales goal and then set up Brennan Johnson's equaliser to cap a memorable week. The 26-year-old also started Friday's 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein and the following day left Huddersfield to join Stoke on a three-year deal. Sorba is a Stokie 🔴⚪ — Stoke City FC (@stokecity) June 7, 2025 'Personally it's been one heck of a week,' said Thomas, who has spent the season on loan at Ligue 1 club Nantes. 'I've secured my future and got my first Wales goal. I hope my family all watching at home were proud. 'I've loved my time at Huddersfield. They took me from non-league and made my dreams reality to play for Wales and put me in this moment. 'To get it (the move) done early was important because I can focus on my football. 'I want to play well in the Championship every week next season and give the manager a headache to keep putting me in the team.'
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Eberechi Eze offers England's brightest spark amid end-of-season gloom
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Real Betis want further talks with Man United over a deal for Antony - as LaLiga side propose ANOTHER loan with a £35m option to buy
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