Ronaldo tears & Yamal's nemesis - has Nations League saved Martinez?
Chelsea sign Strasbourg defender Sarr for £12m
Dortmund confident of signing Jobe Bellingham
Man Utd set to open talks over Mbeumo deal
Chelsea pass on Sancho so pay Man Utd £5m penalty
In 2022, the Manchester City midfielder expressed his thoughts while Belgium was gearing up to face Wales for the ninth encounter in a decade.
Though it might have been a lighthearted remark, De Bruyne could have further noted that these matchups often evoke anxiety for the Belgian team.
Despite Belgium holding a prestigious world ranking and boasting numerous star players, there was a period in their ongoing rivalry where Wales enjoyed an impressive four-match streak without a loss against their renowned adversaries, which included two unforgettable victories in their history.
In 2015, Gareth Bale’s goal led to a monumental European Championship qualifying win in Cardiff, which helped Wales qualify for their first major tournament in over fifty years.
Then, the following year at Euro 2016, Belgium, seen as one of the favorites prior to the tournament, suffered a shocking defeat in Lille as Wales advanced to the semi-finals with a remarkable 3-1 victory that elevated their status dramatically.
"For me, it was among the best matches in Welsh football," states Joe Ledley, who participated in both victory matches.
"I am not sure what it is, but they just seem to be that kind of team. Wales is a bogey team for Belgium."
On Monday evening, a decade after that memorable night in Cardiff, which transformed Welsh football, the rivalry between the two teams reignites with a World Cup qualifier in Brussels.
'A night of significance that ignited national hope'
Welsh football had previously experienced optimism, but now there was a sense of anticipation.
Wales had not participated in any major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, yet with star players like Bale and Aaron Ramsey at the peak of their careers, there was an increasing belief that the long wait might soon conclude.
After years filled with speculation and excitement surrounding this golden generation, Wales launched their Euro 2016 qualifying journey in a way that indicated this time it was indeed genuine.
Remaining unbeaten in their first five matches, Wales faced a Belgian team ranked second in the world in June 2015—equipped with talents such as Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and De Bruyne—having already drawn 0-0 with them in Brussels.
"We went into that game not expecting to win, but we put in immense effort," Ledley recalls. "Facing the best players in the world is what you want, and Belgium was that team for me.
"Our fitness levels weren’t exactly ideal. A few of our players in the Championship and League One finished up three weeks earlier. You could tell who had been on holiday with friends!"
Even if their preparations weren't perfect, Wales concealed it well with a display that was both vigorous and methodical.
Manager Chris Coleman surprised many with his lineup by starting lesser-known Swansea City defender Jazz Richards at right wing-back. Chris Gunter, who typically occupied that position, moved to the right side of a back three for the first time in his international career.
This decision proved to be a stroke of genius, as they skillfully neutralized the threat from that year’s Premier League player of the season, Hazard, coming from Belgium's left flank.
"The entire defensive line and the team had a crystal-clear understanding of each of our roles and duties. We trusted every player in their designated position," Gunter reminisces.
"The objective prior to any campaign was to secure qualification, and we consistently emphasized the importance of starting strong to build momentum, which we achieved. Then it was about proving ourselves by securing points against the top team in the group."
"It was a night in Wales that held all the elements of a truly memorable football experience. It was a Friday evening, the rain was falling, yet it felt warm, and the ambiance was electric."
Wales rose to the occasion, as Bale netted a goal past Thibaut Courtois in the first half, sending the packed Cardiff City Stadium into a frenzy.
Belgium sought an equalizer, but fueled by an electrifying and spontaneous performance of the Welsh national anthem from the home supporters, Wales managed to hold on for a remarkable victory.
"The confidence following that win was palpable, not just among the players but also from the fans, and it felt like we were on the brink of qualification," Ledley explains.
"The fans have a huge influence. That night at Cardiff City Stadium, they were instrumental in pushing us across the finish line."
This result not only made qualification possible but shifted it closer to reality.
Despite their team being three points ahead at the top of the qualifying group, some fans of Wales were still cautious.
After all, it had been 57 years since Wales had participated in a major tournament, a dry spell filled with painful anecdotes of narrowly missing out.
But this time felt different.
"There was a genuine sense of conviction within the locker room and the squad, and for the fans, it was perhaps a mix of hope and yearning for us to succeed," Gunter shares.
"I truly believe that after that victory, everyone was filled with confidence."
A win in Cyprus the following September brought Wales even closer, only to be met with a goalless draw against Israel at home, postponing the celebrations.
However, after a 57-year wait, one more month didn’t feel too long. Wales finally confirmed their qualification in Bosnia-Herzegovina when they recorded their sole defeat of the campaign but secured their spot in France thanks to Cyprus' victory over Israel.
As the rain poured down in Zenica, Wales embraced a moment of liberation from their historical burdens, gazing forward to a bright summer ahead.
"He was absolutely right to advise me against crossing it. If that occurred another hundred times, it certainly wouldn't be Vokesy's responsibility. It simply was meant to happen."
Wales was heading towards their inaugural semi-final. This was where their incredible journey would conclude, with a loss to Portugal, but what an experience it was.
"Will there be another Robson-Kanu this time?"
Since those historic victories for Wales, the two teams have clashed four times, resulting in two draws in Wales and a pair of victories for Belgium on their home turf.
While Belgium has often been considered to have underperformed during this duration, perhaps unjustly, given their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, Wales built upon their success in 2016 by securing a spot in the subsequent European Championships and qualifying for their first World Cup in 64 years.
"It was meant to be" – Wales' pinnacle match of all time
Being Welsh in France during Euro 2016 felt like living a surreal dream.
For many, merely watching the nation participate in a significant tournament was sufficient. The opening victory against Slovakia in Bordeaux was triumphant, and the demolition of Russia in Toulouse brought happiness that few had deemed attainable.
After those victories in the group stages and a nail-biting second-round win over Northern Ireland, they faced Belgium once again for a quarter-final clash in Lille.
"Euro 2016 is still viewed as the prime chance for the golden generation to secure a title," states Bart Lagae, a reporter for the Belgian newspaper De Standaard.
"They should have defeated Wales, probably advancing to beat Portugal [the eventual champions]. Most Belgian sentiments towards Wales stem from that evening in Lille."
Among the anticipated favorites, Belgium believed they were on the verge of escaping from their troublesome rivals when Radja Nainggolan scored with a spectacular long-range shot.
"I think the reason we started a bit slowly is because many of us were likely still feeling the effects of the Northern Ireland game," Ledley jokes.
"Perhaps the pressure and excitement overwhelmed us. However, once we conceded, you could see a sense of relief, and we just came alive and completely dominated them."
Ashley Williams equalized for Wales just before halftime, sprinting to celebrate with his teammates and coaches on the bench so quickly that he recorded his highest speed of the tournament.
This was not merely a stroke of luck. Wales squandered multiple opportunities to take the lead before Hal Robson-Kanu, who was without a club following his release from Reading, netted a goal that ranks among the finest in European Championship history, confounding Belgian defenders with a Cruyff turn and finishing beautifully.
In the 85th minute, Gunter received the ball on the right flank. Manager Chris Coleman stood on the opposite touchline, fervently shouting – with some humorously colorful language, as a documentary later revealed – for the wing-back to carry the ball to the corner to run down the clock.
Gunter, whose nature is grounded in pragmatism as a defender, missed those instructions, but that turned out to be fortunate because he produced the finest cross of his career for Sam Vokes, who scored Wales' third goal with a header.
"Undoubtedly, that was my best cross," Gunter admits with a shy grin. "There weren't many others that could compare!"
"It's amusing—whenever I run into different people from Wales, I notice, as time has passed, I've heard that quote from Coleman more and more. The teams have changed a lot since then; only a handful of players from their respective golden eras still remain."
While Bale and Hazard are no longer present, both teams have steadily embraced a new chapter.
Belgium continues to have a squad rich in both depth and talent, with Jeremy Doku from Manchester City among the rising stars of recent times.
Their progress has faced challenges, as evidenced by the draw against North Macedonia last Friday, marking only one win in the last eight matches for the Red Devils.
Currently, Belgium trails Wales by six points, holding two games in hand, and Craig Bellamy has made it clear that his team is aiming fiercely for a win in Brussels, opting not to play conservatively for a draw.
"When you frequently face the same team, it can actually be trickier because there’s a shorter interval for analysis between matches, and you know each other so well," states Luke Benstead, Belgium's head analyst under former managers Roberto Martinez and Domenico Tedesco.
"With Craig Bellamy's appointment, it’s evident they’ve elevated their game; he is clearly a progressive coach who aims to be proactive."
"Belgium also possesses immense talent with many promising young players emerging, and I believe that no team underestimates one another, regardless of how often they compete, leading to an exciting clash with both sides eager to win."
Despite their inconsistent recent results, Belgium remains the favored side to claim victory, but as history indicates, that does not guarantee success against Wales.
"Most people assume Belgium should secure the win," Lagae notes. "However, there's a lingering belief that Wales can be a bit of a nemesis for us; they seem to bring out our worse performances than we are capable of delivering."
"They had some exceptional players, but it wasn't Gareth Bale on that night in 2016; it was Hal Robson-Kanu, a player largely unknown to most, if not all, Belgians. I can't help but wonder if another Robson-Kanu will emerge this time."
Though it might have been a lighthearted remark, De Bruyne could have further noted that these matchups often evoke anxiety for the Belgian team.
Despite Belgium holding a prestigious world ranking and boasting numerous star players, there was a period in their ongoing rivalry where Wales enjoyed an impressive four-match streak without a loss against their renowned adversaries, which included two unforgettable victories in their history.
In 2015, Gareth Bale’s goal led to a monumental European Championship qualifying win in Cardiff, which helped Wales qualify for their first major tournament in over fifty years.
Then, the following year at Euro 2016, Belgium, seen as one of the favorites prior to the tournament, suffered a shocking defeat in Lille as Wales advanced to the semi-finals with a remarkable 3-1 victory that elevated their status dramatically.
"For me, it was among the best matches in Welsh football," states Joe Ledley, who participated in both victory matches.
"I am not sure what it is, but they just seem to be that kind of team. Wales is a bogey team for Belgium."
On Monday evening, a decade after that memorable night in Cardiff, which transformed Welsh football, the rivalry between the two teams reignites with a World Cup qualifier in Brussels.
'A night of significance that ignited national hope'
Welsh football had previously experienced optimism, but now there was a sense of anticipation.
Wales had not participated in any major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, yet with star players like Bale and Aaron Ramsey at the peak of their careers, there was an increasing belief that the long wait might soon conclude.
After years filled with speculation and excitement surrounding this golden generation, Wales launched their Euro 2016 qualifying journey in a way that indicated this time it was indeed genuine.
Remaining unbeaten in their first five matches, Wales faced a Belgian team ranked second in the world in June 2015—equipped with talents such as Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and De Bruyne—having already drawn 0-0 with them in Brussels.
"We went into that game not expecting to win, but we put in immense effort," Ledley recalls. "Facing the best players in the world is what you want, and Belgium was that team for me.
"Our fitness levels weren’t exactly ideal. A few of our players in the Championship and League One finished up three weeks earlier. You could tell who had been on holiday with friends!"
Even if their preparations weren't perfect, Wales concealed it well with a display that was both vigorous and methodical.
Manager Chris Coleman surprised many with his lineup by starting lesser-known Swansea City defender Jazz Richards at right wing-back. Chris Gunter, who typically occupied that position, moved to the right side of a back three for the first time in his international career.
This decision proved to be a stroke of genius, as they skillfully neutralized the threat from that year’s Premier League player of the season, Hazard, coming from Belgium's left flank.
"The entire defensive line and the team had a crystal-clear understanding of each of our roles and duties. We trusted every player in their designated position," Gunter reminisces.
"The objective prior to any campaign was to secure qualification, and we consistently emphasized the importance of starting strong to build momentum, which we achieved. Then it was about proving ourselves by securing points against the top team in the group."
"It was a night in Wales that held all the elements of a truly memorable football experience. It was a Friday evening, the rain was falling, yet it felt warm, and the ambiance was electric."
Wales rose to the occasion, as Bale netted a goal past Thibaut Courtois in the first half, sending the packed Cardiff City Stadium into a frenzy.
Belgium sought an equalizer, but fueled by an electrifying and spontaneous performance of the Welsh national anthem from the home supporters, Wales managed to hold on for a remarkable victory.
"The confidence following that win was palpable, not just among the players but also from the fans, and it felt like we were on the brink of qualification," Ledley explains.
"The fans have a huge influence. That night at Cardiff City Stadium, they were instrumental in pushing us across the finish line."
This result not only made qualification possible but shifted it closer to reality.
Despite their team being three points ahead at the top of the qualifying group, some fans of Wales were still cautious.
After all, it had been 57 years since Wales had participated in a major tournament, a dry spell filled with painful anecdotes of narrowly missing out.
But this time felt different.
"There was a genuine sense of conviction within the locker room and the squad, and for the fans, it was perhaps a mix of hope and yearning for us to succeed," Gunter shares.
"I truly believe that after that victory, everyone was filled with confidence."
A win in Cyprus the following September brought Wales even closer, only to be met with a goalless draw against Israel at home, postponing the celebrations.
However, after a 57-year wait, one more month didn’t feel too long. Wales finally confirmed their qualification in Bosnia-Herzegovina when they recorded their sole defeat of the campaign but secured their spot in France thanks to Cyprus' victory over Israel.
As the rain poured down in Zenica, Wales embraced a moment of liberation from their historical burdens, gazing forward to a bright summer ahead.
"He was absolutely right to advise me against crossing it. If that occurred another hundred times, it certainly wouldn't be Vokesy's responsibility. It simply was meant to happen."
Wales was heading towards their inaugural semi-final. This was where their incredible journey would conclude, with a loss to Portugal, but what an experience it was.
"Will there be another Robson-Kanu this time?"
Since those historic victories for Wales, the two teams have clashed four times, resulting in two draws in Wales and a pair of victories for Belgium on their home turf.
While Belgium has often been considered to have underperformed during this duration, perhaps unjustly, given their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, Wales built upon their success in 2016 by securing a spot in the subsequent European Championships and qualifying for their first World Cup in 64 years.
"It was meant to be" – Wales' pinnacle match of all time
Being Welsh in France during Euro 2016 felt like living a surreal dream.
For many, merely watching the nation participate in a significant tournament was sufficient. The opening victory against Slovakia in Bordeaux was triumphant, and the demolition of Russia in Toulouse brought happiness that few had deemed attainable.
After those victories in the group stages and a nail-biting second-round win over Northern Ireland, they faced Belgium once again for a quarter-final clash in Lille.
"Euro 2016 is still viewed as the prime chance for the golden generation to secure a title," states Bart Lagae, a reporter for the Belgian newspaper De Standaard.
"They should have defeated Wales, probably advancing to beat Portugal [the eventual champions]. Most Belgian sentiments towards Wales stem from that evening in Lille."
Among the anticipated favorites, Belgium believed they were on the verge of escaping from their troublesome rivals when Radja Nainggolan scored with a spectacular long-range shot.
"I think the reason we started a bit slowly is because many of us were likely still feeling the effects of the Northern Ireland game," Ledley jokes.
"Perhaps the pressure and excitement overwhelmed us. However, once we conceded, you could see a sense of relief, and we just came alive and completely dominated them."
Ashley Williams equalized for Wales just before halftime, sprinting to celebrate with his teammates and coaches on the bench so quickly that he recorded his highest speed of the tournament.
This was not merely a stroke of luck. Wales squandered multiple opportunities to take the lead before Hal Robson-Kanu, who was without a club following his release from Reading, netted a goal that ranks among the finest in European Championship history, confounding Belgian defenders with a Cruyff turn and finishing beautifully.
In the 85th minute, Gunter received the ball on the right flank. Manager Chris Coleman stood on the opposite touchline, fervently shouting – with some humorously colorful language, as a documentary later revealed – for the wing-back to carry the ball to the corner to run down the clock.
Gunter, whose nature is grounded in pragmatism as a defender, missed those instructions, but that turned out to be fortunate because he produced the finest cross of his career for Sam Vokes, who scored Wales' third goal with a header.
"Undoubtedly, that was my best cross," Gunter admits with a shy grin. "There weren't many others that could compare!"
"It's amusing—whenever I run into different people from Wales, I notice, as time has passed, I've heard that quote from Coleman more and more. The teams have changed a lot since then; only a handful of players from their respective golden eras still remain."
While Bale and Hazard are no longer present, both teams have steadily embraced a new chapter.
Belgium continues to have a squad rich in both depth and talent, with Jeremy Doku from Manchester City among the rising stars of recent times.
Their progress has faced challenges, as evidenced by the draw against North Macedonia last Friday, marking only one win in the last eight matches for the Red Devils.
Currently, Belgium trails Wales by six points, holding two games in hand, and Craig Bellamy has made it clear that his team is aiming fiercely for a win in Brussels, opting not to play conservatively for a draw.
"When you frequently face the same team, it can actually be trickier because there’s a shorter interval for analysis between matches, and you know each other so well," states Luke Benstead, Belgium's head analyst under former managers Roberto Martinez and Domenico Tedesco.
"With Craig Bellamy's appointment, it’s evident they’ve elevated their game; he is clearly a progressive coach who aims to be proactive."
"Belgium also possesses immense talent with many promising young players emerging, and I believe that no team underestimates one another, regardless of how often they compete, leading to an exciting clash with both sides eager to win."
Despite their inconsistent recent results, Belgium remains the favored side to claim victory, but as history indicates, that does not guarantee success against Wales.
"Most people assume Belgium should secure the win," Lagae notes. "However, there's a lingering belief that Wales can be a bit of a nemesis for us; they seem to bring out our worse performances than we are capable of delivering."
"They had some exceptional players, but it wasn't Gareth Bale on that night in 2016; it was Hal Robson-Kanu, a player largely unknown to most, if not all, Belgians. I can't help but wonder if another Robson-Kanu will emerge this time."
0 Comments
This space aims to broaden the debate on the subject addressed in the news, democratically and respectfully. Comments that violate laws and ethical and moral principles or that promote illegal or criminal activities will not be accepted. Therefore, slanderous, defamatory, prejudiced, offensive, aggressive comments, those that use foul language, incite violence, express hate speech or contain links will be summarily deleted.