Euro 2016 | Wales continue dream run into semis with win over Belgium

Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, Jordan Lukaku, Nainggolan, Witsel, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard, Romelu Lukaku

Wales came into the match on the back of a dream run after topping the group over rivals England. Gareth Bale, in particular, has been in terrific form scoring in every group stage match and assisting the crucial goal in the pre-quarters. Along with the famous Wales anthem, a new song joined the list as a Madrid band had paid a tribute to Bale looking for him to “unleash the dragon and let out the fire”.

Belgium breakthrough with a belter

However, it was Belgium who unleashed fire on the night at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne were running riot in the initial few minutes breaking the Wales defence at will as the Wales wing-backs played forth leaving holes in the defence. In the 7th minute, Belgium should have scored, but wasted three back-to-back chances from right in front of the goal. Another move by de Bruyne in the 8th minute should have seen a goal from Romelu Lukaku, but it was Bale who promised on the counter, running the length along the left only to send a scorcher into the outside of the net.

Belgium finally broke through in the 13th. Radja Nainggolan was left unmarked way outside the box, and when a Hazard pass came his way, he took his time and shot an absolute stunner from 25 yards into the left top of the goal past an outstretched Hennessey, who could only get his fingertips on it. 0-1.

Wales upset the cart in style

Wales scored soon enough though. From a corner in the 30th minute, skipper Ashley Williams was left notoriously unmarked in the area, and he had the easy task of jumping and heading down a pinpoint header into the bottom right. De Bruyne, assigned the task of guarding that side of the goal, put out a desperate left leg to block the header, but it got through. 1-1.

Belgium promise but Wales delivers

The second half began with wave after wave of Belgium attacks threatening the Wales goalmouth. In the 47th minute, Romelu Lukaku squandered a chance to score, sending a header wide off a Thomas Meunier cross. A shot sent high by de Bruyne in the 49th, and in the 51st minute, Ashley Williams thwarted a combination again by Meunier and Lukaku, and Wales were under serious pressure.

Wales close the deal

Aaron Ramsey was dominating the midfield, creating chances every third minute, but Belgium knew they were just one goal away. After a 68th minute combination play from the Lukaku brothers, Jordan and Romelu, Marouane Fellaini missed a firm chance to equalize with a header that went wide. Two minutes later, Aaron Ramsey delivered a huge blow to himself and Wales with a yellow card that will see him miss the semi-final. As Belgium kept up the pressure, Wales were doing its all to just hang in there, but a Belgium goal looked probable anytime soon.