Severely beaten on the first day by the Netherlands (1-4), Belgium offered themselves a revenge, coupled with a Group 4 final on Sunday in Amsterdam against the Netherlands, by overcoming the country of Wales, Thursday (2-1). Kevin De Bruyne was the great host of this fifth Nations League meeting by opening the scoring on a cross from Batshuayi in the 11th minute (1-0), before returning the favor to the former center forward of OM (2-0, 38th).
It’s a bit like time was suspended when the leader of the Citizens changed pace or approached, with surgical precision, the surface of Wayne Hennessey, saved by his right post on a cross shot from the redhead (27th) . But when the Premier League star no longer took care of everything, on stratospheric bases, Belgium exposed themselves a bit.
The Welsh reacted after the break
Roberto Martinez’s team, sent off in added time for not returning a ball, even experienced some weak moments in the second half, especially on the left flank of their defense where Jan Vertonghen, who returned to Anderlecht this season, was making his thirty-five springs. With his speed, Daniel James made him miserable before depositing his center on the head of Kieffer Moore (2-1, 50th), who let the young Zeno Debast take root in the lawn, who honored his first selection at 18 years after only 14 official meetings with the Mauves.
Captain, Eden Hazard came to get King Baudouin the playing time he hasn’t had for a long time at Real Madrid, before giving way to Leandro Trossard shortly after the hour mark (65th). The former best player in L1 remains capable of class gestures but no longer has the acceleration power to make the same differences as before. Finally, the Lens center-forward, Loïs Openda, was invited at the end of the match (65th) without managing to afford a scoring opportunity while Courtois, impeccable, remained focused to repel a shot on target from Jonny Williams (89th).
Consequence of the expulsion of Roberto Martinez, his assistant Thierry Henry could replace him on the bench of the Red Devils against the Netherlands on Sunday.