BRUSSELS, Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne spared Belgium’s blushes after blowing a 3-0 lead to beat Wales 4-3 and kickstart the Red Devils’ 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Monday.
Goals from Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku inside half an hour had given Belgium a dream start.
Wales, though, rallied through a Harry Wilson penalty, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson to stun the side ranked eighth in the world.
But De Bruyne rode to his nation’s rescue, as he has so often in a stellar career, by steering in Tielemans’ perfect cross in the 88th minute.
Defeat was Craig Bellamy’s first as Wales manager as they fell just short of a national record of 10 matches unbeaten.
However, there remains plenty of positives for Wales’ hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup.
They sit second in Group J, one point behind North Macedonia, and three in front of Belgium, who have two games in hand.
Only one side will automatically qualify with second earning a place in the play-offs.
After a 1-1 draw at North Macedonia on Friday to begin their qualifying campaign, Rudi Garcia recalled three of his Premier League stars in Leandro Trossard, Amadou Onana and Tielemans and Belgium clicked into gear.
De Bruyne’s shot struck the arm of Johnson inside the area to give Lukaku the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot for his 89th international goal.
Tielemans rounded off a brilliant team move for the home side’s second moments later as he turned in Maxime De Cuyper’s low cross.
A dazzling solo effort from Doku compounded Wales’ woes as they seemed set for a second half of damage limitation.
However, Harry Wilson’s penalty reduced the visitors’ deficit in first half stoppage time after Matz Sels was controversially penalized for a clash with Chris Mepham.
Bellamy’s men were right back in the game when Wilson brilliantly picked out Thomas to slot home Wales’ second six minutes into the second period.
Johnson’s header completed the comeback 21 minutes from time, but the visitors were unable to hold out against Belgium’s superior firepower.
Lukaku had a second goal controversially ruled out for the ball being out of play in the build-up after a lengthy VAR review.
That proved to be a mere reprieve for Wales as moments later Tielemans’ cross picked out the unmarked De Bruyne to volley in at the back post.
De Bruyne secures Belgium win over Wales in seven-goal thriller
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De Bruyne secures Belgium win over Wales in seven-goal thriller
- De Bruyne’s shot struck the arm of Johnson inside the area to give Lukaku the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot for his 89th international goal
Griezmann’s free kick seals Atletico Madrid progress in Copa del Rey
- Last year’s champions Barcelona will play at Racing Club Santander on Thursday
Antoine Griezmann’s sublime second-half free kick earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at second-tier Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday, securing their spot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Coming off a frustrating start to 2026 with a disappointing 1-1 draw in LaLiga against Real Sociedad and a 2-1 loss in the Spanish Super Cup to bitter rivals Real Madrid, Diego Simeone fielded a near full-strength side at the Riazor Stadium, with only goalkeeper Jan Oblak rested among regular starters.
Midfielder Conor Gallagher, reportedly close to joining Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Giacomo Raspadori, linked with a move to Atalanta, were also absent from the squad that made the trip to Galicia.
Atletico dictated the early proceedings, with Julian Alvarez denied by La Coruna keeper German Parreno following a sharp effort, while Matteo Ruggeri struck the woodwork in the 15th minute.
La Coruna came close to an opener when Cristian Herrera’s close-range shot was superbly saved by Atletico’s back-up goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Griezmann grew into the game, narrowly missing the target with a fierce strike from distance that rattled the crossbar in the 40th minute before the decisive moment arrived in the 61st.
Awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Griezmann stepped up and delivered a left-footed effort that curled into the top corner, leaving keeper German Parreno with no chance.
Atletico maintained control for much of the second half, their defensive organization under Simeone proving impenetrable for a La Coruna side that has now won just once in their last seven outings across all competitions.
Despite dominating possession and creating further chances, Atletico struggled to add to their lead, with Griezmann’s strike proving the only goal of the match.
Atletico were the first team to advance to the quarter-finals, as Real Madrid will visit Albacete on Wednesday in Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as the club’s new manager following Xabi Alonso’s departure on Monday.
Last year’s champions Barcelona will play at Racing Club Santander on Thursday.
