Wales thrashed Belgium 3-1 and created history by reaching the semifinals of any major international tournament for the first time. Belgium started with a 4-2-3-1 formation, attacking in the first 25 minutes, which included Radja Nainggolan’s 30-yard cracker shot in the 13th minute, giving a 1-0 lead to the favourite.
Wales made a strong comeback as Aaron Ramsey mastered his mid-field tactics to create some attacking play and provided openings for Gareth Bale and Sam Vokes to test the Belgium defence. Playing at its best on the set piece, Wales equalised in the 31st minute with Ashley Williams’ header into the bottom corner.
Belgium’s defence looked helpless at times after Jan Vertonghen and Jordan Lukaku were shown the yellow cards and Denayer was unable to stop the attacking moves of Vokes and Ramsey.
The defining moment of the match came when Wales took the lead with the help of a master-class from Hal Robson-Kanu. Catching the Belgian defence trio — Thomas Meunier, Fellaini and Jason Denayer — on the wrong foot, Kanu made a fabulous Cruyff turn and shot the ball into the net (see picture) .
With just five minutes left in the match, Belgium’s full focus was on equalising. But all hopes were washed away when Sam Vokes pulled off a stunning header with the help of a perfect teasing ball by Chris Gunter in the box, making it 3-1.
Wales will face Portugal in the first semi-final of the 2016 EUROs, hoping to continue its fairytale run into the final.
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