De Bruyne’s Late Winner Rescues Belgium in 4-3 Thriller After Wales Fightback

Kevin De Bruyne scored a dramatic late winner to secure a 4-3 home victory for Belgium over Wales in their World Cup qualifier on Monday, after the visitors had staged a remarkable comeback from a three-goal deficit.

Belgium appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win in the Group J encounter after racing to a 3-0 lead inside the first 27 minutes. However, a spirited Welsh fightback saw them level the score in the second half, before De Bruyne’s 88th-minute strike handed Belgium a vital three points.

The match, which was filled with controversy and lengthy VAR interventions, began with Belgium in dominant form. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring with a 15th-minute penalty, awarded after a lengthy VAR check for a handball against Brennan Johnson. Captain Youri Tielemans swiftly doubled the lead in the 19th minute, finishing a sweeping team move, before Jeremy Doku added a third with a fine individual effort.

Wales were handed a lifeline just before the break when Harry Wilson converted from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Matz Sels was adjudged to have fouled Chris Mepham. The visitors carried that momentum into the second half, with Sorba Thomas making it 3-2 in the 61st minute from a sublime cross-field pass by Wilson.

The comeback was completed in the 70th minute when Wilson and Thomas combined again, with Thomas heading the ball back across the goal for Brennan Johnson to finish and level the score at 3-3.

With the game heading for a draw, De Bruyne ghosted in at the back post to connect with a long cross from Youri Tielemans, finishing unmarked to secure the victory for his side.

The result is a blow for Wales, who slip to second in the group standings with seven points from four matches. North Macedonia, who defeated Kazakhstan 1-0 earlier on Monday, lead the group with eight points. Belgium now have four points but have only completed two fixtures.