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  • Sports - Football - Scores & Fixtures
  • Updated: November 17, 2021

World Cup Qualifier: Wales Into Playoffs With Draw Against Qualified Belgium

World Cup Qualifier: Wales Into Playoffs With Draw Against Q

Wales secured a home semifinal in the World Cup qualifying playoffs as Kieffer Moore's equaliser earned an impressive 1-1 draw against Belgium on Tuesday.

Rob Page's side were already guaranteed a World Cup playoff spot in March through their Nations League results.

But finishing second in Group E would ensure they avoided a daunting trip to the likes of Italy and Portugal in the playoff semifinals.

When Kevin De Bruyne put Belgium ahead in the first half, that ambition was under threat.

But Cardiff striker Moore equalised at his Championship club's stadium in the Welsh capital to guarantee the valuable playoff seeding after Turkey failed to secure the four-goal victory they needed against Montenegro.

"I couldn't be prouder. I was very emotional at the end. That group of men out there, to put that performance in after a big game on Saturday, it was outstanding," Page said.

"I'm not surprised at how positive our reaction was to their goal. We've done it before. We know how to dig deep."

With a home one-legged semifinal secured, Wales will go into the draw later in November feeling more confident about their bid to qualify for the World Cup.

Wales will host one of Austria, North Macedonia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey or the Czech Republic in the semis.

They are now just two wins away from reaching the World Cup for only the second time and the first since 1958.

"When the crowd is behind us like it was tonight, we'll take on anyone. We're not done yet, we're dreaming of a World Cup. It's definitely achievable," Page said.

Belgium, top of Fifa's world rankings, had clinched World Cup qualification with a 3-1 win against Estonia on Saturday.

Although the Red Devils had nothing to play for after earning top spot in Group E, they didn't roll over and are now unbeaten in 28 major tournament qualifiers under boss Roberto Martinez.

After two months out with a hamstring injury, Wales captain Gareth Bale had returned to action to win his 100th cap in the 5-1 rout of Belarus on Saturday.

But the Real Madrid forward came off at half-time in that game and was omitted from the matchday squad to face Belgium.

It was Moore who replaced Bale in an inspired move by Page.

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