BRENNAN Johnson’s first international goal helped Wales earn a point against Belgium in the Nations League on Saturday night (Jun 11).
Wales had suffered defeat to Netherlands in their previous game on Wednesday and were keen to avoid a repeat.
The National anthem once again rang around the Cardiff City Stadium and there was a good noise as Dan James won an early corner for the hosts. James and Harry Wilson combined well as but the cross was blocked out for another corner.
After the Belgians failed to clear, Ethan Ampadu lashed the ball home into the top corner of the net but VAR ruled the goal out after Joe Rodon had headed the ball from an offside position before the ball fell to Ampadu.
At the other end Wayne Hennessey made another good save to deny Youri Tielemens.
Dan James was at it again soon after as his run set up Gareth Bale but he sent his shot just wide under pressure.
Kevin De Bruyne then crossed into the box for Yannick Carrasco at the back post but Hennessey made a comfortable save.
There was a blow for Walews before the break as Joe Allen had was forced off injured and he was replaced by Aaron Ramsey.
The ball then fell for Connor Roberts in the box but he sent his shot over. The offside flag then went up to spare his blushes.
It remained 0-0 at the break and Wales will have been pleased to have kept their opponents to just a handful of chances.
Belgium started the second half well as they won a corner but De Bruyne’s cross was headed away before Axel Witsel could get on the end of it.
However, much like in the game against the Netherlands on Wednesday, Wales conceded five minutes into the second half.
Michy Batshuayi turned in the box and found Tielemens who fired low into the bottom right corner of the net.
It was nearly two moments later as Carrasco fired a cross into the box but there were no takers and the ball flew wide.
Wales looked to get back level but Joe Rodon curled an effort over the bar with just under an hour gone.
With just under twenty minutes to go Wales made a number of changes including the introduction of Brennan Johnson and Rubin Colwill.
Johnson’s first involvement saw him running at the Belgian defenders but he saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.
With four minutes to go the ball was played to Ramsey who slid in to control the ball and his turn inadvertently played the ball to Johnson who shot low into the bottom right corner.
The offside flag went up and another VAR check followed. After a minute and a half of waiting the goal was confirmed.
Six minutes of added time were shown and there was still time for both sides to find a winner.
Neither side was able to do so though and the full time whistle meant it would be a point apiece.
Wales travel to Netherland on Tuesday (Jun 14) for their final game of this mini series of fixtures.
