Red Devils recover after early shock
Belgium arrived in Cardiff under pressure after dropping points to North Macedonia. Wales struck first through Joe Rodon, yet Kevin De Bruyne levelled and Thomas Meunier put the visitors ahead. De Bruyne converted a second penalty before Nathan Broadhead cut the gap in the eighty ninth minute. One minute later Leandro Trossard finished a rapid break to settle it at 4 to 2 and claim his eleventh goal for the national team.
Elsewhere on a busy night
France drew 2 to 2 away to Iceland in Reykjavik. William Saliba played the full match as Christopher Nkunku and Jean Philippe Mateta turned the score around before Kristian Hlynsson equalised late.
Sweden lost 1 to 0 at home to Kosovo in World Cup qualifying as Viktor Gyokeres completed the full ninety.
England U21 beat Andorra U21 1 to 0 at Pride Park. Ethan Nwaneri started again and left on seventy nine minutes after another influential display. Tyrick George scored the winner.
Group stakes and standings
Belgium moved top of Group J with two matches to play after their win plus North Macedonia’s home draw with Kazakhstan. Victory in Kazakhstan next time out would seal a fourth straight World Cup for the Red Devils.
Group J
| Nation | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 6 | +15 | 14 |
| North Macedonia | 7 | +9 | 13 |
| Wales | 6 | +3 | 10 |
| Kazakhstan | 7 | -4 | 7 |
| Liechtenstein | 6 | -23 | 0 |
France remain on course in Group D despite the late equaliser in Iceland. They host Ukraine in November and a win would confirm qualification.
Group D
| Nation | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 4 | +6 | 10 |
| Ukraine | 4 | +1 | 7 |
| Iceland | 4 | +2 | 4 |
| Azerbaijan | 4 | -9 | 1 |
Sweden’s results are poor in Group B, yet a playoff path remains through last season’s Nations League ranking. They are currently projected to join Wales, Romania and Northern Ireland in the sixteen team playoff that will award four World Cup places.
Group B
| Nation | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 4 | +9 | 10 |
| Kosovo | 4 | -1 | 7 |
| Slovenia | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| Sweden | 4 | -5 | 1 |
What is coming up
All times BST.
Tuesday 14 October
Japan vs Brazil in Tokyo at 11.30am.
Spain U21 vs Finland U21 in Castellón de la Plana at 5.30pm.
Spain vs Bulgaria in Valladolid at 7.45pm.
Italy vs Israel in Udine at 7.45pm.
Latvia vs England in Riga at 7.45pm.
