Wales 2-4 Belgium Player Ratings: De Bruyne Rated 9/10 as His Brace Secures 4-2 Victory

Wales came out firing, and their pressure paid off almost immediately. Joe Rodon’s header sent the home crowd into delirium, a perfect start. But you just can't keep a team with this much quality down for long.

The turning point felt inevitable. Two clumsy handballs inside the box, one from Ethan Ampadu and another from Welsh midfielder Jordan James, gifted Belgium two penalties. Kevin De Bruyne, cool as ever, dispatched both. Sandwiched between them was a fine strike from Belgium player Thomas Meunier, and suddenly the game had been flipped on its head. Wales showed heart to grab a late second, but a final goal from Leandro Trossard sealed a deserved, if dramatic, win for Belgium in this match.

Here are Wales Vs Belgium Player Ratings

Wales Player Ratings vs Belgium

Here are Wales Player Ratings vs Belgium

Goalkeeper

Karl Darlow - 5.5: A really tough night for the keeper. He conceded four goals and only made two saves. What stood out to us was how exposed he was by his defense. He couldn't do much about the penalties, but he looked shaky on the other two goals. Not a performance he'll want to remember.

Defenders

Neco Williams - 6.0: A mixed bag from Williams. He tried to get forward and contribute, but he was often caught out of position defensively. He struggled to handle the sheer pace and trickery of Jérémy Doku. He won a tackle but lost his fair share of duels. An average performance in a difficult game.

Ben Davies - 6.0: The captain led by example with his effort but the defense was a mess. He made four tackles before going off injured in the 71st minute. His yellow card was a sign of the immense pressure he was under. His experience was missed after he left the pitch.

Joe Rodon - 7.0: Scored a fantastic header to give Wales a dream start. He was also incredibly tidy in possession with a 98% pass accuracy. However, being part of a defense that shipped four goals has to count against him. He blocked two shots but couldn't stem the Belgian tide.

Ben Cabango - 5.5: A difficult evening for Cabango. He was dribbled past three times and seemed to struggle with the movement of the Belgian attackers. He made a few important clearances but was ultimately part of a backline that was completely overwhelmed. He never looked comfortable.

Midfielders

Ethan Ampadu - 5.5: A moment of madness cost his team dearly. Conceding the first penalty for handball was the turning point in the match. Before and after that, he worked hard and tried to make things happen. But such a critical error is impossible to ignore in his rating.

David Brooks - 5.5: We were really disappointed with his contribution. He was almost invisible for the 58 minutes he was on the pitch. With only 25 touches, he failed to make any meaningful impact on the game. He was rightly substituted early in the second half.

Harry Wilson - 6.5: Drew four fouls, showing how much of a nuisance he was trying to be. However, his final product was lacking. He got a yellow card for a cynical foul and failed to register a shot on target. He worked hard but needed to offer more quality in the final third.

Jordan James - 5.0: Another player whose game was defined by a huge mistake. Conceding the second penalty for another handball was a body blow for Wales. He tried to drive forward and had one shot on target, but giving away a penalty overshadows everything else. A very poor night for the youngster.

Sorba Thomas - 7.5: The brightest spark for Wales by a country mile. He provided a brilliant assist for Rodon's goal and created four chances in total. His delivery from set-pieces and open play was a constant threat. From our perspective, he was his team's best player, even in a heavy defeat.

Forwards

Mark Harris - 6.0: Worked tirelessly up front but was feeding on scraps for most of the game. He had three shots but couldn't find the back of the net. His effort was commendable, but he lacked the clinical edge needed to trouble the Belgian defense. A frustrating evening for him.

Substitutes

Nathan Broadhead - 7.0: Came on and scored a goal. You can't ask for much more from a substitute. His late strike gave Wales a glimmer of hope.

Manager

C. Bellamy - 6.0: His team started with incredible energy and got the early goal. However, the defensive structure and discipline were simply not there. Conceding two penalties through individual errors is concerning. While his side showed fight, they were ultimately out-thought and out-played.

Belgium Player Ratings vs Wales

Here are Belgium Player Ratings vs Wales

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 6.0: A surprisingly quiet night for the big keeper despite conceding two goals. He only had one save to make all game. He couldn't do anything about Rodon's point-blank header or Broadhead's finish. A spectator for large parts of the match.

Defenders

Zeno Debast - 6.5: Looked a little shaky in the opening stages, conceding a couple of early corners. However, he grew into the game and made six crucial clearances. He was solid enough, although the whole defense looked vulnerable at times.

Arthur Theate - 6.5: A steady performance before being substituted. He was composed on the ball and made a few important blocks and clearances. He even ventured forward and missed a chance to score. Did his job without any fuss.

Maxim De Cuyper - 6.5: Played for 60 minutes and had a decent outing. He was solid defensively, winning all of his duels. He didn't offer a huge amount going forward but was a reliable presence on the left flank during his time on the pitch.

Thomas Meunier - 8.0: A fantastic all-round performance. He scored a crucial goal to put Belgium ahead with a well-taken strike. Defensively, he was astute, making three interceptions and four clearances. The yellow card was a minor blemish on an otherwise excellent display.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne - 9.0: Simply sensational. This was the De Bruyne show. He was the architect of everything good for Belgium, scoring two penalties with ice-cold composure. He created three chances and was a constant threat until he was given a well-deserved rest. An undisputed Man of the Match and the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Nicolas Raskin - 7.0: An impressive engine in the midfield. He recovered the ball 11 times, showcasing his excellent reading of the game. He kept the play ticking over and provided a solid screen for his defense. An unsung hero in Belgium's midfield dominance.

Leandro Trossard - 7.0: It was a mixed performance from Trossard, but he popped up with the goal that sealed the victory. He made an error that led to a chance for Wales, but he atoned for it with his clinical finish. A goal is a goal, and it was an important one.

Jérémy Doku - 8.5: What a nightmare he was for the Welsh defense. From our perspective, his direct running was unplayable. He completed eight dribbles and created an assist for De Bruyne. His final product could have been even better, but his ability to create chaos was a massive asset.

Amadou Onana - 7.5: A powerhouse in the middle of the park for the 70 minutes he played. He was dominant in his duels, winning a remarkable 8 out of 10. His physicality and tackling broke up numerous Welsh attacks. His substitution was a surprise, given how well he was playing.

Forwards

Charles De Ketelaere - 7.0: He didn't get on the scoresheet, but he was heavily involved in Belgium's attacking play. He linked up well with the midfield and worked hard off the ball. His movement created space for others to exploit. A solid, unselfish performance.

Substitutes

Timothy Castagne - 7.5: Made an immediate impact after coming on. He provided the assist for Trossard's goal, showing great awareness and delivery. An excellent cameo appearance.

Manager

R. Garcia - 7.5: His team showed great character to come back after conceding an early goal. His tactical setup allowed his star players, De Bruyne and Doku, to shine. He managed the game well, and his substitutions were effective. A very professional performance from his side.

Sportsdunia's Player of the match is Kevin De Bruyne