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Match time and venue:
July 1 at 22:00, at the "Stade Pierre-Mauroy" stadium. The match will be broadcast live on LRT channel.
Team paths in the tournament:
Despite a loss in the second match to England, Wales managed to secure victories against Slovakia and Russia to top Group B. In the round of 16, they faced a British derby against Northern Ireland, where they emerged victorious with a 1-0 win.
Belgium started the championship with a defeat to Italy, but later won three consecutive games. In Group E, they defeated Ireland and Sweden, and in the round of 16, they thrashed Hungary with a 4-0 win.
News from the teams' camps:
Wales' captain Ashley Williams suffered an injury in the quarter-finals and missed training at the beginning of the week. However, it seems that no problems were found during his tests, as the defender joined the team training on Wednesday. All other 22 Welsh players are healthy and ready for the clash.
Belgium had serious issues in their defensive line. Without Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts, the team will face even bigger problems in this match. Thomas Vermaelen will miss the game due to suspension, and in yesterday's training session, another defender Jan Vertonghen suffered an injury to his ankle and might miss up to four months of football. It is believed that these two defenders will be replaced by Jordan Lukaku and Jason Denayer against Wales.
After the match against Hungary, Eden Hazard did not participate in training, but the national team coach was confident that the Chelsea player would take to the field in Friday's match. Mousa Dembele, who has already returned to team training, should also help the team in this match.
Coaches' comments:
Chris Coleman (Wales): "We do not underestimate ourselves in this match. We will try to take advantage of this opportunity, as we have done throughout the whole championship. It will be a great challenge, which we can add to all the challenges we have faced so far. We are in a great position. We need to go out there and do everything that has brought us here.
Since the group stage, we have faced pressure to continue our good performance. We had to win in different ways. Belgium is considered one of the best in the world, and we have met them four times in the last two qualifying cycles. However, everything depends on us and our preparation. Just because we play against Belgians, we do not dramatize the situation in our camp.
A team needs a leader and you need leaders, and we have them in our dressing room. Ashley is the captain. We are always worried about his shoulder injury, but the medical team has done a fantastic job preparing Ashley for these matches. The fact that he is ready for the game is great news for us."
Mark Wilmots (Belgium): "Jan Vertonghen twisted his left ankle at the end of training and tore two ligaments. It was a real shame for him. He will no longer play in this tournament and will have to be out of football for at least six to eight weeks. The situation is difficult, but we have alternatives. Other players are ready to take his place. These things happen during championships.
Now we are already in the quarter-finals and the match against Hungary is already in the past - we need to focus on Wales. I think we need to continue what we have been doing well.
Coaches are always worried when their team has an exit. Anything can happen. The match against Hungary went well, but we need to remain focused and not think that we will win easily. This will be a tough match against a different opponent. They are a team that plays fast and well, and most of their players play in England.
Their team defends very well and has talented players who look great on counterattacks. The importance of this match is completely different now - it's no longer a group stage where we fight for points. We must leave the match with a ticket to the European Championship semi-finals, which is completely different from the group stage battles.
Teams' statistics in the championship (per matches):
Goals: Wales 1.75 - 2 Belgium
Shots on target: Wales 11 - 21 Belgium
Corners: Wales 2.5 - 8.25 Belgium
Ball possession: Wales 47% - 51% Belgium
Passing accuracy: Wales 81% - 86% Belgium
Aerial battles won: Wales 18 - 14.25 Belgium
Interceptions: Wales 15.5 - 13.5 Belgium
Recovered balls: Wales 17.75 - 11 Belgium
Clearances: Wales 10 - 10.5 Belgium
Key match-up:
Gareth Bale against Radja Nainggolan
Wales will try to break down the Belgians with counterattacks. Belgium has many high-level defenders and attacking players, so it is most likely that ball control will be in their hands. However, Gareth Bale and Wales have already proven in this tournament that they are one of the most dangerous teams on counterattacks. Both Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are not known for helping Belgians defend much, so Nainggollan should be tasked with stopping the opponents' counterattacks from the defensive line.
Although the Belgian player himself is not slow, he will have to use other weapons against Bale - proper positioning and the ability to win the ball before the opponent accelerates. Belgium's defensive line will be depleted with injuries and suspensions in this match, so Nainggollan may have to sacrifice his attacking contributions to help stop the main opponent's weapon.
Predicted line-ups:
Wales: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, Taylor; Allen, Ledley; Ramsey, Bale; Robson-Kanu.
Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, J. Lukaku; Witsel, Nainggolan; Mertens/Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard; R. Lukaku.
Specialists' predictions:
Reymundas Tomayo ("Yibada"): "Belgians are considered favorites in this match, despite the huge responsibility falling on their young players. Wales plays excellent defense, and they also successfully counterattack, so their team is not one that cannot win. If Belgians manage to score early and force the Welsh team to take on more attacking positions, Hazard and other dangerous players of this team should exploit the space available. Wales 1 - 3 Belgium."
Paul Merson ("Sky Sports"): "These two teams have played many matches against each other in recent years and I believe this match will be tough. People underestimate Belgium's 4-0 win against Hungary - Hungary played poorly, and three of Belgium's goals were scored at the end of the match when the opponents went all out attack.
Wales has been working very hard in this tournament, and the match against Northern Ireland was very tough for them. They tried to play counterattacking football, although they mostly controlled the ball. This time, I believe they will bring in Hal Robson-Kanu instead of Sam Vokes, which will help speed up their game in the attacking third. Marco Wilmots' players will try to attack, and that should give space to Gareth Bale, and if he shows his best football, the match will be very tough. Wales 1 - 2 Belgium."
Evan Morgan Grahame ("Outside 90"): "This Belgian team is full of dangerous players, and that cannot be ignored. However, after the last match against Hungary, they will be under immense pressure, and if they give Wales the same opportunities they gave Hungary, today they might be punished. Wales 1 - 0 Belgium."
Interesting facts:
These teams are the highest scorers in this European Championship;
This will be the first meeting of these teams in the final stages of championships;
Only three goals were scored in the last three matches between these teams;
In the knockout match against Northern Ireland, Wales had only one shot on target;
In this tournament, the Welsh team trailed opponents for only two minutes and 31 seconds;
Wales did not concede a goal in the first halves of their matches in this championship;
Seven out of eight Belgian goals were scored in the second halves. Four of them were scored in the last half hour;
After losing to Italy, the Belgian team has not conceded a goal in this tournament.
