Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois’ quest to win the European Championships is over after Belgium were beaten by Wales in tonight’s quarter-final.
Belgium started well in Lille and took the lead with Hazard claiming his fourth assist of the tournament – the highest number of any player at a Euros since 2000 – but Wales grew into the game and deservedly progressed. They will meet Portugal in Wednesday’s semi-final.
As early as the seventh minute Belgium had three shots dramatically blocked by some last-ditch Welsh defending, Hazard the third man denied seeing his goalbound strike deflected over the bar. It was Hazard who had started the move inside his own half with former Blues Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku also involved.
Gareth Bale hit the side netting soon after but the warning signs had been served and on 13 minutes Belgium seized the initiative.
Hazard toyed with a number of Welsh players attracted to him wide on the left before inviting Radja Nainggolan to have a pop from range with a nicely weighted pass. The Roma man needed no second invitation thrashing his effort into the top corner from a good 25 yards out.
Belgium’s threat continued with three Welsh defenders going into the book for cynical fouls, but Chris Coleman's side fought back and thought they were level through Neil Taylor, only for Courtois to produce one of the saves of the tournament low to his right. World-class reactions were required to keep out the well-hit close-range shot.
There was nothing our keeper could do to stop the equaliser on the half-hour, though. Ashley Williams found himself completely unmarked at a corner and guided his header into the corner past De Bruyne who had drifted away from the post he was guarding.
Courtois got down low to save from Bale at the end of a driving run and it was Wales who finished a thrilling half on top stretching Belgium’s makeshift defence – without the suspended Thomas Vermaelen and injured Jan Vertonghen - to the limit.
Belgium’s start to the second half was a good one with Lukaku heading a very presentable chance wide and then Hazard cutting inside in trademark style but flashing his strike a fraction past the post.
But Wales remained dangerous and took the lead on 55 minutes through the unattached Hal Robson-Kanu. His superb Cruyff turn took three Belgian defenders out of the game and allowed him the simple task of placing the ball past the stranded Courtois.
Sub Marouane Fellaini headed another very good aerial opportunity wide and Wales were fortunate twice in quick succession late on, first when Ben Davies was not shown a second yellow for tripping Lukaku and then when Williams fouled Nainggolan in the box but the ref waved Belgium’s appeals away.
Belgium’s frustration was compounded with five minutes to go when Sam Vokes delicately glanced a flighted cross past Courtois making it 3-1. It was another exceptionally well-taken goal and confirmed the end of Chelsea players’ involvement at this tournament. Our incoming manager Antonio Conte will hope to lead Italy into the last four when they play Germany tomorrow evening in Bordeaux.
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