Belgium 4-3 Wales Player Ratings: Late Kevin de Bruyne Magic Helps Red Devils Seal Thrilling First Win In 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Belgium picked up a thrilling 4-3 win over Wales in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash on Monday, June 9 (2025) at the Stade Roi Baudouin (Brussels). The Red Devils took a 3-0 lead that Wales brought level to make it 3-3 before a late Kevin de Bruyne winner gave the three points to the hosts.

Belgium took the lead in the 15th minute through Romelu Lukaku's penalty. The Red Devils doubled their lead in the 19th minute, when a sweeping move was finished off by Youri Tielemans. Jeremy Doku made it 3-0 in the 28th minute after his powerful shot went through Karl Darlow.

Wales started pushing to cut down the deficit, with Mats Sels denying David Brooks and Ben Davies in the first half. But Sels gave away a penalty in stoppage time, which Harry Wilson converted to make it 3-1. Sorba Thomas cut the deficit to make it 3-2 with a powerful finish from close range 52nd minute. Thomas then turned into a provider to set up a goal for Brennan Johnson in the 70th minute, with Wales completing a comeback to make it 3-3!

Romelu Lukaku seemed to have made it 4-3 in the 83rd minute, but the goal was cancelled by VAR. Kevin de Bruyne turned into Belgium's hero with a slick 88th-minute winner to help Belgium get their first win in the World Cup qualifiers. Here are the Belgium National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team Player Ratings.

Belgium National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Matz Sels - 5/10

Sels made a few decent saves but was quite sloppy at times. Gave away the penalty and was caught in an awkward position for the second goal.

Defenders

Thomas Meunier - N/R

Had to go off before the opening goal because of an injury.

Wout Faes - 5/10

Faes failed to really hold together a sturdy defensive line. Caught in some bad positions at times and couldn't do much to stop Wales' attacks.

Zeno Debast - 4.5/10

Debast had a shaky outing at the back, too. He lost quite a few key duels and failed to mark Thomas' run for his goal.

Maxim De Cruyper - 7/10

An energetic and threatening figure on the left wing. Made several exciting forward runs and produced a lovely assist for Tielemans' goal, but was taken off early because of a booking.

Midfielders

Youri Tielemans - 8/10

Tielemans was a sharp and proactive figure in the midfield. Disciplined with his passing and possession recoveries, and scored a superb goal with a slick finish. Produced a great cross for De Bruyne's goal.

Amadou Onana - 6/10

Onana passed the ball around nicely and came up with some solid possession recoveries. However, he failed to stop Wales' flow through central areas or neutralize their midfielders' threat.

Kevin de Bruyne - 8/10

De Bruyne was at the heart of a lot of good things for Belgium. Won the penalty with his shot, causing the handball, and created multiple big chances with clever final third passes, and finished the game with a slick close-range goal.

Forwards

Leandro Trossard - 5/10

The Arsenal forward was a bit sloppy in moving the ball forward, losing it quite a few times. Failed to create much and had a shot go astray in the first half.

Jeremy Doku - 8/10

Doku was a real livewire with his speedy dribbles, constantly driving his side forward with vigor. Scored a powerful goal after a nice move and set up some promising chances for his teammates.

Romelu Lukaku - 7/10

Lukaku made no mistake in calmly slotting home the penalty to give Belgium the lead. He helped link up for some nice attacks and saw a goal chalked off late in the game.

Substitutes

Koni De Winter - 5.5/10

De Winter was fortunate to bag an assist after coming on by passing to Doku before his goal. He was troubled by Thomas at the back, losing the mark of him for his goal and Johnson's goal.

Dodi Lukabakio - 4/10

Missed a golden opportunity from close range immediately after coming on. Taken off in the second half despite being subbed in.

Arthur Theate - 6/10

A proactive figure on the left, moving his side forward nicely with his passes.

Nicolas Raskin - 5/10

Failed to add any steel in midfield and was booked.

Alexis Saelamaekers - N/R

Manager

Rudi Garcia - 5.5/10

Garcia got his selection spot on and his counter-attacking approach perfect, getting Belgium to take the fight to Wales and trouble their backline with speedy attacks. His defensive selection was wrong and almost resulted in disaster, as he was saved by experienced players.

Wales National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Karl Darlow - 4/10

Darlow had a forgettable outing. Couldn't do anything about the first two goals, but too easily allowed Doku's shot to go past his fingertips.

Defenders

Connor Roberts - 4/10

Roberts had a rough outing, being constantly outwitted by the Belgian wingers' clever movement. Caught in bad positions for multiple goals, especially being in no-man's land for De Bruyne's goal.

Chris Mepham - 6/10

Probably Wales' sturdiest defender on the night. He won several key duels and ruined some Belgium attacks with his smart positioning.

Ethan Ampadu - 4.5/10

Ampadu had a shaky game against Lukaku. He was dragged out of position quite often and failed to maintain a compact defensive shape for Wales.

Joe Rodon - 5/10

Rodon was outwitted by the Belgian forwards quite often, making sloppy errors with some of his defensive work. Passed the ball around efficiently.

Ben Davies - 6/10

Davies was energetic and quite efficient on the left, despite being caught out of position at times. He worked hard to neutralize Belgium's attacks, but lacked any real creative threat.

Midfielders

Jordan James - 4.5/10

James struggled against the intensity of the game, losing the ball quite often and being sloppy with his passing.

Harry Wilson - 7.5/10

Wilson sparked the comeback for Wales with an impressive penalty. Found Thomas perfectly for his goal and also influenced the third goal with a lovely cross, being a menacing figure with his passing.

David Brooks - 4/10

Brooks struggled to have much of an impact in the game. He only completed two passes and failed to create much, but saw a promising shot denied by Sels.

Sorba Thomas - 8.5/10

Thomas had a quiet first but exploded into life in the second half. Perfectly latched onto Wilson's cross for a powerful header goal and smartly found Johnson for his goal.

Forward

Brennan Johnson - 7/10

The Tottenham forward gave away an early penalty with an unlucky handball. But he pushed his side forward with smart passes and scored a slick goal to help complete the comeback.

Substitutes

Liam Cullen - 6/10

Added some more steel and urgency in the midfield battle.

Mark Harris - 5/10

Missed a decent chance after coming on, but failed to create much.

Rabbi Matondo - N/R

Manager

Craig Bellamy - 6.5/10

Bellamy shaped up his side in the wrong manner, causing them to be put under so much pressure. His defensive set-up was poor, but he motivated his players to mount an impressive comeback with some slick football, and was unlucky to lose the game.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Sorba Thomas.