Wales make their point with Euro 2016 qualifying draw in Belgium

Performance was not pretty but may go down in Welsh football folklore in six games' time, writes Richard Jolly

Eden Hazard, centre, of Belgium runs at Chris Gunter, right, of Wales during their Group B Euro 2016 qualifier at King Baudouin Stadium on November 16, 2014, in Brussels, Belgium. Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty ImagesShow less

This match will not go down in Welsh football folklore just yet. In six games’ time, though, it might.

As every self-respecting Wales fan knows, and laments, they have not played at the finals of any major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

If their long wait ends in Euro 2016 and after 58 years, the hardest of hard-earned points must rank as a major factor.

Its importance cannot be measured purely in the standings. Psychologically, this was a seismic statement from Wales. They remain undefeated after four matches.

They did not beat Belgium. But as no one has, in qualifying fixtures in Brussels, since Germany in 2010. As their only defeat in 18 competitive internationals came to the other World Cup finalists, Argentina, victory would have been improbable.

Wales got the next-best outcome, a draw that revealed their character.

Belgium played like the favourites they were, with confidence and ambition. Wales were often camped on the edge of their own box, with Gareth Bale isolated in attack. It was a test in concentration, organisation and determination. They passed it.

Ashley Williams was a bastion of defiance in defence. James Chester, Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor completed a redoubtable back four.

Joe Allen was both energetic and disciplined as the holding midfielder.

It was a testament to each that Belgium created less in the second half and ended up adopting direct tactics. Their initial aim was to play through the excellent Eden Hazard, who had a roving role, making him harder to track.

Perhaps he was drawn centrally, however, by the one gap in skills among this glorious generation of Belgian talent. They lack a world-class creative midfielder. Perhaps it is why it took them so long to break down the United States in the World Cup.

Hazard’s Welsh counterpart has still more wide-ranging duties. Ultimately, Bale’s greatest contribution was a 96th-minute goal-line clearance to deny Christian Benteke a winner. Once a left-back, however, the Real Madrid man has gravitated into a sole striker, partly because his side’s premier specialist centre-forwards, Sam Vokes and Simon Church, are both injured. Bale is a high-class stand-in, and his capacity to occupy an entire defence proved invaluable when Wales were reduced to 10 men against Cyprus.

If Wales hoped that Belgium, lacking the injured pair of Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany, would have a soft centre, they could not get the ball to Bale often enough to test that theory.

Yet one solo surge and angled shot, which just missed the far post, threatened a breakthrough. There were moments of menace.

This had been billed as Hazard versus Bale. A minute showed the gifts of the respective superstars. First, Bale's swerving free kick was well parried by Thibaut Courtois. Seconds later, Hazard's clever dribble culminated in a shot that Wayne Hennessey blocked.

Yet the simplistic reduction of the game to a battle between two individuals ignored the reality that Belgium have a much more gifted side. They may have only five points from three games, but it is no coincidence that they are ranked fourth in the world. Hazard had helpers.

Hennessey produced a vital save to deny Nacer Chadli, who was released by Divock Origi’s flick. Nicolas Lombaerts swivelled to fire a shot against the post, while a sliding Origi could not convert the rebound. The teenager got the nod ahead of Benteke and Romelu Lukaku. The choice itself is a sign of Belgium’s striking riches but, after an hour of resistance, Benteke came on.

While Dries Mertens departed after a nasty clash of heads with George Williams, Belgium almost profited from a late aerial bombardment aimed at Benteke and the other giant, Marouane Fellaini. The usual scorer turned saviour, Bale thwarting Benteke, as Wales held on.

A draw in Brussels, albeit in a comparatively insignificant match, in World Cup qualifying formed part of the start of the Welsh revival. This was more meaningful. Potentially, much more meaningful.

Netherlands rout Latvia in Amsterdam

Guus Hiddink said he would resign if Netherlands lost to Latvia, but the Dutchman will be staying on after a 6-0 rout of the Baltic side in Amsterdam. Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck twice while Robin van Persie and Jeffrey Bruma each scored once for the hosts, who consolidated their hold on third place in Group A.

In Nicosia, Giorgios Efrem scored three goals to lead Cyprus to a 5-0 victory over Andorra. Cyprus moved above Belgium into third place in Group B. Elsewhere, Norway beat Azerbaijan 1-0 in Baku on Havard Nordtveit’s 25th-minute goal. The victory temporarily brought Norway level with Group H leaders Italy and Croatia, both of whom played late last night, on nine points.

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