Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq
Quarterfinals
2016 European Championship
Wales 3-1 Belgium
Ashley Williams (31’) Radja Nainggolan (13’)
Hal Robson-Kanu (55’)
Sam Vokes (86’)
For the first time in history, Wales are going to the semifinals of a major football tournament.
Wales came back from a goal down to win their quarterfinal match against a Belgian side that on paper would be considered favorites.
It is their first time being part of the European Championship, and Wales have been more than impressive. We thought all they had was Gareth Bale, but how wrong were we. As narrow as their win against Northern Ireland was in the Round of 16, the Welsh team have a system that works for them. A system that is built around a team performance.
Belgium has relied on their individual talent throughout the competition. Their talent side has caught their opponents on quick counter attacks. The deceiving scoreline in their Round of 16 match against Hungary will say they are a team going places, but for those who have been following the European Championship, Belgium has underperformed.
Radja Nainggolan gave Belgium the lead in the 13th minute with another strike from outside the box. Belgium started strong and deserved the lead. But their usual tactics failed them in their quarterfinal match. Wales were the better side after going down a goal.
Poor marking by the Belgian defense allowed Ashley Williams to get the equalizer for Wales in the 31st minute. It was nothing less than what the Welsh deserved. It was Williams first goal for Wales.
Ashley Williams scored his first goal in 39 competitive internationals despite a shoulder injury. ? #WAL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/u0vCeJbwl7
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 2, 2016
It was 1-1 at the break. Belgium had a star-studded team, and with the right substitution and the introduction of fresh legs, they could still win the match. Belgium started the second half like they start all their matches in this competition, strong and on the hunt for an early goal.
But Wales as a team proved to be a better side than the Belgians. 10 minutes after the restart, Wales were in the lead. Alone in the Belgian penalty box, Hal Robson-Kanu found himself in surrounded by Belgian defenders. He maintains composure and with a Cruff turn, he had himself in a close range shot against Courtois.
Sam Vokes scored his first goal for Wales since March 2014 – good timing! #WAL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/zukIyebIjM
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 2, 2016
Belgium couldn’t find a solution to Wales defense, and in the 86th minute, Robson-Kanu’s replacement Sam Vokes extended the Welsh lead to two goals. Vokes had been substituted into the match for just 6 minutes when a glancing header of his ended Belgium’s dream of a comeback.
Portugal and Wales are a match away from the final of the 2016 Euro. They will face each other on July 6th to settle the score.
The two most expensive players in the world will be going at it. Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo might be club mates at Real Madrid, but for a 90 or maybe 120 minutes, they won’t be mates at all.
