Critical Points From Wales Vs Belgium Match

By Obiweluozo Martins

All hope of a Belgium side to reach the semi-final of the EURO 2016 ended yesterday as one of the bookmarks favourite was bundled out by the less-fancied Wales who are just making appearance in a major tournament for a long time ago. Going into the game, Belgium were arguably the favourite to triumph on the encounter but was beaten with a whopping 3-1 score line as Wales came from behind the beat the more fancied and start-studded Belgians sending them out of the tournament with so much pain and anguish as some of the Belgian supporters were in tears as their beloved side face another exit in a major tournament, this time from Wales. On this note we take into account the critical pointer from the Belgium vs. Wales match and what went wrong for the Belgians.

DE BRUYNE HUMAN AFTER ALL

Kevin De Bruyne tries to clear the ball off the line, but having come off his post the Manchester City midfielder could not prevent the goal.

One of the most stand out players in Europe for the past three years who had a splendid time with Wolfsburg and continued a brilliant carrier at English club Manchester City was one player who carried the hope of the Belgians on his shoulder alongside the skillful and talismanic Eden Hazard. De Bruyne in any way is up to the task as he is direct and intelligent when in transition and can score (vital) goals just like he did against PSG (Paris-Saint-German) home and away in the Champions League months ago. His awareness on the ball and understanding makes him a valuable asset for any team but De Bruyne was human after all as he failed to save the Wales equalizer nodded down by Williams. Man in post at the end of the goal is a very positive idea in world football tactically and otherwise but De Bruyne was there and couldn’t prevent the ball as the ball bounced above his knee with all the power applied by Ashley Williams as they ball rolled into the net with all the seriousness in it.

ROBSON – KANU LIKE BALE

	Hal Robson-Kanu fires Wales into the lead after a superb turn to fool three hapless Belgian defenders inside the penalty area.

Robson-Kanu and Gareth Bale might be a threat to team before and ahead in the tournament coupled with a wide range of understanding between the former and Aaron Ramsey but with the forward (Kanu) who played his football last season with Championship side Reading FC and is now a free agent at the moment, not much attention was given to the power playing forward. As a result was underrated with Bale in mind, then danger struck for Belgium in the 54th minute when Aaron Ramsey ran into the right edge of the box to square for Robson-Kanu who took a touch of brilliance to the control of the ball, with Bale waiting in front of the half circle in the 18 yard box Belgium defender attempted to close down Bale (even when  without the ball) leaving Robson-Kanu with the option to wrong foot the last man in defence, turning back skillfully to plant a left foot finish with all the class and brilliance attached to it leaving us to think momentarily that the goal was scored by Gareth Bale. What a goal it was as Thibaut Courtois has no answer to it in totality.

A TREE MAKING A FOREST

Gareth Bale raises two fists to the heavens after Wales recorded a remarkable 3-1 victory of Belgium to reach the semi-finals.

In a team of Wales Caliber were there are hardworking players along with the talented few of Gareth Bale, Hal Robson- Kanu, Ashley Williams and Aaron Ramsey. There is no doubt that the main figure in the Welsh side is the Real Madrid star irrespective of Aaron Ramsey’s exploits so far in the tournament. Just as the saying goes that a tree cannot make a forest but Gareth Bale’s class and pedigree is working totally in contrast to that statement and to the law of reality. He (Bale) is a tree and is making a forest as he is pulling Wales further than anyone expected into the semi-final at a major tournament like EURO 2016 with fine performance coupled with two long range free-kicks against Slovakia and England and a brilliant outside of his left fort finish against Russia to add glass to the score line keeping hope alive at least up till the semi-final stages.

WALES ATTEMPTS A LEICESTER

Wales’s striker Vokes is mobbed by team-mates Joe Allen, Bale and Gunter after his goal sealed an historic win.

With the Wales side lead by the duo of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale there is no denying the talent of the duo as they lines up for some of the elite clubs in Europe in Arsenal and Real Madrid respectively. That does not in either make Wales a world class side but just a group of hardworking players flourishing under the talent of the aforementioned duo. This just draw it similarity with Leicester City against all odds won the Premier League with Jamie Vardy and talented Riyad Mahrez who is described as “king” by Coach Claudio Ranieri. The likeness that exist between skilled and talented goal scoring duo of Gareth Bale and Riyad Mahrez coupled with their favourite left foot and game to game performance with match winning quality is what that catalyze Leicester City success to the Premier League crown above Arsenal, Man City & Co. and might just be the story of Gareth Bale and Wales who is just 180 minutes away from glory.

A MATCH MADE IN MADRID

Wales celebrate in front of their delighted fans as Vokes header confirms their place in the last four, where they will meet Portugal.

 Gareth Bale may have scored 3 goals in 5 games with a top quality performance in the tournament so far and may have outclass some of the best players he had meet along in the competition but on a contrast Ronaldo might have just scored 2 goals especially the brilliant back heel to open his account in the tournament against Hungary to aid Portugal’s passage up till this stage but really Ronaldo have not lived up to the billing at the EURO 2016 and all eyes will be on alert when Wales and Portugal takes to the pitch with Bale looking more likely to deliver more than his fellow Real Madrid teammate but don’t right off that man Cristiano Ronaldo because  he can deliver master class performance. Just as they say form is temporal and class is permanent that might be the situation of Ronaldo as the world awaits the Bale and Ronaldo (BC) Re-Union.