Leuven (Belgium) (AFP)
A good start for Belgium: the Red Devils beat their Welsh hosts 3 to 1 in a qualifying match for the World-2022 (Day 1, group E), Wednesday evening in the small stadium of Louvain (center).
The Dragons were however the first to set fire to a meeting which often lacked rhythm.
Despite the loss of their leader Joe Allen, injured in the right thigh in the 7th minute, the Welsh took the advantage in the 10th minute after a remarkable collective action punctuated by Harry Wilson, served by the inevitable Gareth Bale .
An action that coach Ryan Giggs must have enjoyed in front of ... his television set.
The Welsh coach, stuck in a domestic violence case, is not allowed to leave UK territory.
Somewhat cooled, the Red Devils, however, quickly found the flame by equalizing in the 22nd minute on a superb strike from Kevin De Bruyne, full axis, from 20 meters.
Better in the match, Roberto Martinez's men were ahead in the 28th minute with a "100% Borussia Dortmund" goal, Thorgan Hazard heading off a Thomas Meunier cross.
Romelu Lukaku tripled the penalty kick in the 73rd minute after Connor Roberts fouled Dries Mertens.
The Interiste's 55th goal in 86 appearances for the national jersey.
What confirm its great current form.
Even deprived of Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel, injured, Belgium remains a formidable team, which justified its status as number one in the Fifa rankings on Wednesday, facing its bête noire (ranked 18th).
In their last four confrontations, the Welsh had indeed won twice and had snatched two draws against the Belgians.
The latter were particularly vengeful, still traumatized by their surprise elimination in the quarterfinals of Euro-2016 (3-1).
On Saturday, Belgium will travel to the Czech Republic, the other piece consisting of a Group E which also includes Estonia and Belarus.
At the same time, Wales will host Mexico in a friendly match.
© 2021 AFP