Kieffer Moore – Fortunebets

Kieffer Moore secured a home World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final for Wales as Belgium were held to a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

Robert Page’s side were already assured of a play-off spot, but they headed into the final Group E game desperate to be among the six top seeds.

Although Kevin De Bruyne put an under-strength Belgium – already assured of a place in the tournament in Qatar next year as group winners – in front, Moore equalised in the first half.

Neither side could fashion a winner, but Wales sealed second place and face a home play-off tie in March when they will hope to have captain Gareth Bale – absent here – back to full fitness.

De Bruyne silenced the Wales fans when he opened the scoring 12 minutes in, the stand-in captain finding the bottom-right corner with a measured finish after a poor attempted clearance from Chris Mepham.

Wales took that setback on the chin, capitalising on slack defending to equalise when Arthur Theate missed his kick as he tried to deal with Dan James’ cross and Moore finished clinically with his left foot 13 minutes before half-time.

Thorgan Hazard struck the post when he met a pinpoint De Bruyne corner with a sublime volley from just outside the penalty area as Belgium finished the first half strongly.

An unmarked Connor Roberts spurned a chance to put Wales in front when he sliced a long way wide after a James cross fell nicely for him early in the second half.

Dante Vanzeir came on to make his debut as Roberto Martinez made a triple substitution before the hour-mark.

Neco Williams almost won it when he cut in from the left and brought a fine save from Koen Casteels, but a point was enough for Wales to achieve their objective.

A play-off spot was already in the bag for Wales, but they capped an impressive qualifying campaign by finishing runners-up ahead of the Czech Republic and ensuring they will avoid the likes of European champions Italy and Portugal in the semi-finals.

The Dragons have only played in one World Cup, way back in 1958, but will be hoping a raucous Cardiff crowd can help them into a play-off final and then book a ticket to Qatar. They will face one of Austria, North Macedonia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey or Czech Republic at the semi-final stage.

Belgium are now unbeaten in their past 28 World Cup qualifiers, this point secured without a whole host of key men such as Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

The powerful Moore delivered when Wales needed him on his home ground and led the line superbly. Since his international debut in September 2019, the Cardiff City striker has scored more goals in all competitions than any other Wales player with eight.

Theate was at fault for Moore’s goal, while Dedryck Boyata also looked shaky at the back. The 21-year-old lost possession 12 times and Boyata nine, with Timothy Castagne much more solid alongside them.

Kieffer Moore headed a superb equaliser as Wales opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland at the Olympic Stadium in Baku.

Breel Embolo put Switzerland in front after 49 minutes, his close-range effort full reward for their superiority.

But Moore claimed his sixth international goal 16 minutes from time – and Wales were relieved when Mario Gavranovic’s late effort was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

A point was more than Wales deserved for large parts of a contest in which they were often second best and key men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were kept quiet.

But Moore’s header will give Wales – semi-finalists at the last European Championship in France five years ago – belief that they can progress from a competitive group.

The result will place greater emphasis on Wales’ next game against Turkey, who lost their opening Group A fixture 3-0 to Italy, in Baku on Wednesday.

Bale, Wales’ record goalscorer, had not scored for 11 games going into the match – a run stretching back to October 2019.

But he had netted in his two previous appearances against Switzerland, with Ramsey also on target when the two sides last met in a 2-0 Wales victory in 2011.

Ramsey had been declared fit to start after being troubled by injuries, but interim boss Robert Page decided not to play him as a false nine.

The Juventus midfielder had filled that role in the final warm-up friendly against Albania, but he lined up in a more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Cardiff target man Moore leading the line.

Danny Ward got the nod over Wayne Hennessey in goal and the two Joes, Allen and Morrell, provided the midfield screen in front of the back four.

Switzerland, four places higher than Wales at 13 in the world rankings, were packed with experience, with six players in the starting line-up having 60 caps or more.

Vladimir Petkovic’s side also came into the tournament in good form, having won all five games played in 2021.

Both sets of players took the knee before kick-off and it was a cagey opening with temperatures touching 30 degrees.

Wales had the first chance after 15 minutes when Daniel James crossed from the left and Moore forced a superb one-handed save from Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Moore was injured moments later in an aerial clash with Kevin Mbabu, but he was able to continue after treatment and returned wearing a patriotic red head bandage.

Switzerland took control as the half wore on, with Ward saving smartly from Fabian Schar’s near-post flick and Granit Xhaka driving wide from distance.

Wales’ plan was to launch quick counter-attacks and utilise the pace of Bale and James, but too often they were careless in transition and moves broke down before they started.

James did break free on the half-hour mark, but the winger’s burst ended by a cynical challenge from Schar, which earned the Newcastle defender a yellow card.

Switzerland’s pressure grew as the half drew to a close and Haris Seferovic failed to find the target on three occasions when well placed inside the area.

The clearest opening came on the stroke of half-time when Embolo held off Chris Mepham and Wales were relieved to reach the interval level.

But parity did not last long, with the Wales defence breached just moments after Ward had denied Embolo with a superb stop.

Xherdan Shaqiri swung over the resulting corner and Embolo held off the challenge of Connor Roberts to send his header past a helpless Ward from six yards out.

Wales responded well to the setback, with Ben Davies’ drive deflected just over before Moore met Morrell’s cross with a sweet header.

Gavranovic thought he had restored Switzerland’s lead six minutes from time, but Wales were saved by a VAR check.

Ward came to their rescue again to push another Embolo effort over the bar and the point keeps Wales very much in the hunt for qualification for the round of 16.