Wales produced one of the best performances of the UEFA Euro 2016 against Belgium to outclass the highest ranked football team if the tournament and secure a berth in the semi-final of the competition. The Dragons were trailing in the 13th minute, when Radja Nainggolan’s screamer broke the deadlock. But Chris Coleman’s side, inspired by Aaron Ramsey, mounted an epic comeback.
Ashley Williams scored the equaliser in the 30th minute and the two teams went to the break with scores level. However, goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and substitute Sam Vokes helped Wales record a comprehensive 3-1 win over one of the favourites. In their first ever European Championship, Wales will face Portugal in the semi-final at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Here is how the player’s fared during the game:
Wales
Wayne Hennessey – 6.5/10
Hennessey could not do much about Nainggolan’s screamer, but otherwise was comfortable on the ball and made some decent saves.
James Chester – 7/10
His last ditch tackle on De Bruyne was excellent and performed his task of shackling Hazard relatively well. The West Brom man was booked for a foul on Lukaku.
Ashley Williams – 8.5/10
The captain led his side from the front heading home the equaliser. He was at his imperious best and was at hand to clear everything that Belgium had to offer.
Ben Davies – 7.5/10
Although he will miss the semi-final due to suspension, he played his part in helping the Dragons reach the penultimate stage of the tournament. He made some vital interceptions and tackles and was probably lucky for not getting sent off.
Chris Gunter – 7/10
Gunter managed to nullify the threat of Eden Hazard and was constantly marauding down the right flank, which created some problems for Marc Wilmot’s side. He put in an excellent cross for Sam Vokes’ goal.
Joe Allen – 6.5/10
He was let down by his passing, as he lost the ball on some occasions, but made up for it with his relentless work-rate and shielded the back line well.
Joe Ledley – 6.5/10
He helped Wales assert themselves in the middle of the park. The Crystal Palace midfielder didn’t try to play any exquisite balls as he kept things simple, but was at his combative best.
Aaron Ramsey – 9/10
The Arsenal man was at his industrious best and put in a brilliant performance to help his side outclass Belgium. He picked up two assists for Williams and Robson-Kanu’s goal, but was unlucky to be booked in the second half for an unintentional handball, which will see him miss the semis. His absence in the semi-final will be a massive blow to the chances of Chris Coleman’s side.
Neil Taylor – 7/10
Taylor was at hand to deny Belgium from scoring in the opening minutes of the game as he made a couple of good blocks. He was a threat while going forward and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Gareth Bale – 6/10
Forced Courtois into making a couple of good saves, but couldn’t have the same influence on the game as he is used to. He will be elated to have helped his team reach the semis in their maiden voyage.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 7/10
Scored a beauty to put Wales ahead, beating three people with his Cruyffesque turn and then slotting it past Courtois. Played his part in helping his team cause a big upset and will be hoping to have a similar impact in the semis.
Substitutes
Andy King – N/A
Came on to replace Ledley in the 78th minute and helped his side shore up the midfield as they held on to their lead.
Sam Vokes – 6.5/10
He replaced Robson-Kanu in the 80th minute and doubled his side’s advantage with a pin-point header.
James Collins – N/A
He came on to replace Ramsey in the dying stages of the game.
Belgium
Thibaut Courtois – 5.5/10
He made an excellent save to deny Taylor in the first half, while was also at hand to keep his side in the game, but couldn’t do much about the three goals as he was left exposed by his defence.
Thomas Meunier – 5/10
Meunier struggled throughout the game and didn’t contribute as much defensively as he did offensively, curling in teasing crosses from the right flank for his team-mates. He was blanked by Robson-Kanu’s impeccable turn just before the second goal.
Toby Alderweireld – 5.5/10
The Tottenham Hotspur defender tried his best to organize the makeshift defence, but couldn’t prevent the Welsh from scoring the three goals.
Jason Denayer – 5/10
Denayer was let down by his positioning on more occasions than one and struggled to fill in the boots of Thomas Vermaelen. A poor outing for the 21-year-old.
Jordan Lukaku – 4.5/10
The younger of the Lukaku brothers failed to prevent the Welsh attackers from doing the damage on his side. Ramsey’s cross for the second goal and Gunter’s ball for the third both came from their right flank.
Radja Nainggolan – 7/10
The Roma midfielder broke the deadlock with probably the strike of the season, finding the back of the net from all of 30 yards out. But failed to dominate the midfield and didn’t get on the ball as much as he would have liked.
Axel Witsel – 6/10
Witsel tried his best to guard the back four, but it was a futile effort at best. He did try to test the Welsh keeper with a few long-range strikes.
Yannick Carrasco 4.5/10
Failed to trouble the Welsh defence in the opening 45 minutes after which he was replaced by Marouane Fellaini.
Kevin De Bruyne – 5/10
The Manchester City man tried to be the creative fulcrum of his side, but failed miserably. Although he did occasionally threaten the Dragons with his dribbling, he failed to test the goalkeeper with many of his weak strikes.
Eden Hazard – 5.5/10
The Chelsea winger tried to cut in from the left flank and cause problems for the opposition, but managed to threaten the Welsh only once. Failed to lift his team up when the chips were down.
Romelu Lukaku – 3/10
He missed a host of headers from close range and failed to make the decisive impact that Belgium were hoping for. Overall a very disappointing game from the Everton man.
Substitutes:
Marouane Fellaini – 5/10
Came on to replace Carrasco at the break and threatened with a few good headers. But failed to inspire his side to mount a comeback.
Dries Mertens – N/A
He replaced Jordan Lukaku in the 75th minute as Marc Wilmots threw the kitchen sink in search for a goal. but failed to have any impact on the game.
Michy Batshuayi – N/A
He came on to repalce Romelu Lukaku in the 83rd minute and apart from a missed chance in the dying moments, did not have any significant impact.
