EURO 2016 Preview: Wales v Belgium
Date: Friday 1 July, 2016
Time: 20:00 GMT
Location: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille Métropole
Coverage: BBC One - 19:30 GMT
With Portugal defeated Poland on penalties to reach their fourth semi-final in the previous five European Championships, Wales and Belgium were going head-to-head in Lille to decide who would face Fernando Santos’ at the Stade de Lyon on July 6.
After waiting 58 years to play at a major international tournament, Wales were attempting to reach their very first semi-final in what is their European Championship debut.
Belgium on the other hand were readying themselves for a fifth appearance at the quarter-final stage of a major tournament, and this time their ‘golden generation’ are expected to go all the way.
Team News
Wales:
Wales’ Head coach Chris Coleman would have been as worried as anyone in France when Ashley Williams grasped his shoulder towards the end of their last 16 tie against Northern Ireland.
But after celebrating his side’s victory with his arm in a sling, Captain Williams has been declared fit to play ahead of his side’s biggest match for almost 60 years.
At the other end of the field, there is a crucial decision to be made regarding who to select upfront for the side that have travelled to Lille as the underdogs.
In their opener against Slovakia, Coleman opted to use Jonny Williams as a ‘false number nine’, before rewarding free agent Hal Robson-Kanu for his late winner in that tie with a start against England on match day two.
Sam Vokes then replaced Robson-Kanu to great effect for Wales’ final group match against Russia, and Coleman may opt for the Burnley man’s aerial ability against a Belgian side that has lost two key central defenders in the lead up to the match.
Belgium:
Belgian coach Marc Wilmots will be relieved to have captain Eden Hazard fit to play after he suffered a minor thigh injury during their triumph over Hungary in the round of 16.
However, the Belgian coach has not received such promising news with regards to his defensive options for this evening’s match.
Having lost their star defender Vincent Kompany ahead of the tournament, Wilmots will need to make more changes to his already depleted backline, as both Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen look set to miss the quarter-final clash.
Vermaelen’s suspension might have been overlooked had it not have been for Vertonghen twisting his ankle during training.
The Tottenham player had not only enjoyed an excellent season and tournament so far, but he is also the most capped Belgian in their 23-man squad with 81 international appearances, and his experience might have proven vital in such an important match.
Expect Manchester City youngster Jason Denayer to take Vertonghen’s place at the heart of the Belgian defence.
Belgium are missing central defender Jan Vertonghen for the quarter-final tie with Wales.
The Key Men
Wales:
It goes without saying that Wales will be reliant upon star man Gareth Bale playing somewhere near his best if they are to reach the final four of Euro 2016.
The world’s most expensive player has been a pivotal part of their progression to the quarter-final stage, with three goals and one assist, and it was he who made the difference in a lacklustre match against Northern Ireland last time out.
Asides from Bale, Welsh midfield pair Aaron Ramsay and Joe Allen will also need to perform if their side are to reach the semi-finals.
Ramsay provides the crucial link between midfield and attack and is the player that Bale relies on for regular service, while Allen is key to keeping the team ticking over and his industrial work allows wing backs Neil Taylor and Chris Gunter to attack at will.
Finally, central defender Williams is the side’s leader and his excellent performances at the back have been a major reason why Wales have conceded on just three occasions in their four matches so far.
Belgium:
With Vertonghen joining Kompany on the side lines, the former’s Tottenham team mate Toby Alderweireld will be the man Wilmots turns to, to protect goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the likes of Ramsay and Bale.
However, the Red Devils’ true threat comes from their attacking players. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne found more of the ball against Hungary last time out, and there is little doubt that their performances were a major reason why Belgium eased to a 4-0 victory in what was their best display of the competition to date.
In order to reach the last four, Williams and co. will also need to stop top scorer Romelu Lukaku from finding space to utilise his pace and power, and their concentration could be key towards the latter stages, should Wilmots turn to winger Yannick Carrasco or forward Michy Batshuayi in search of a late goal.
Head-to-Head
- This will be the 13th encounter between the two nations, with Wales winning four, Belgium five, and the match finishing all-square on three occasions.
- Belgium have not beaten Wales since September 2012, in what was their third successive victory over the The Dragons.
- Coleman’s side will take confidence from there record during qualification, with a 1-0 victory in Cardiff following up their 0-0 draw in Brussels seven months earlier.
- Highest scoring clash – Wales’ 5-1 victory back in November 1949.
Prediction
Wales 1 - 3 Belgium
Gareth Bale will be crucial if Wales are to defeat Belgium in Lille.
