“A sucker punch to everyone” – Bellamy Reacts to Wales’ Defeat to Belgium

Wales suffered a 4-2 defeat against Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium in their World Cup qualification campaign and head coach Craig Bellamy slammed the UEFA handball rule after a lengthy VAR check led to Belgium’s equaliser.

“It was difficult to take at the time; they are UEFA guidelines,” said Bellamy. “Maybe we need to do more over here because they aren’t our rules. We’ve got more common sense.

“I have watched plenty of (UEFA) Champions League games to know it. Where are you meant to put your hands? If it goes anywhere near your hands, then it’s a penalty which I don’t believe is the way the game should be.”

Wales are now winless in their last three games, conceding 12 goals across their last five. Bellamy knew this would be a tough test for his side, and they struggled in transition against Belgium’s pace and quality.

Despite this, the 46-year-old said he was impressed with how his players played and that they were unlucky to walk away with nothing over the last two matches against The Red Devils, scoring five goals.

“I’m really proud of my players. What I like about us there was evidence of that in big parts of the game today and that’s what I’ll take from it. We were here to win and knew a draw wasn’t going to get us first place (in the group).”

Wales’ next game is a World Cup Qualifier against Liechtenstein on November 15 at 5pm (GMT) at the Rheinpark Stadion. A win would set up a play-off decider against North Macedonia at the Cardiff City Stadium on November 18.