BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Kevin De Bruyne scored one goal and set up another as Belgium profited from a strong first-half showing to beat Wales 2-1 in their Nations League A clash at the King Baudouin Stadium on Thursday.
Wales were fortunate not to be more than 2-0 down at the break after goals by De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi, as well as a number of other spurned opportunities by their hosts, but halved the deficit early in the second period when Kieffer Moore headed in from close range.
Belgium have 10 points from five matches. They go to Amsterdam on Sunday and must win by three goals to overtake the Netherlands at the top of Group 4 and qualify for the Nations League semi-finals next year.
The home side were able to give 65 minutes to playmaker Eden Hazard as he seeks to prove his form and fitness ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Bale came off the bench for Wales in the final half-hour, a positive sign for manager Rob Page ahead of their home game against Poland on Sunday as they bid to avoid relegation from the pool.
(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)
