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The 2016 UEFA European Championships is being played across France from June 10 to July 10 for the first time with 24 nations across 10 venues in nine cities with the French capital Paris being the only city with two venues in the Stade de France and the Park de Prince.
The defending double champions are Spain, who are three time record champions along with Germany.
QUARTERFINAL MATCH #2
Wales 3-1 (1-1) Belgium
Goal(s): 0-1 Radja Nainggolan (13′), 1-1 Ashley Williams (31′), 2-1 Hal Robson-Kanu (55′), 3-1 Sam Vokes (85′)
An impressive Wales scored a shock 3-1 win against a highly rated Belgium in the second Euro 2016 quarterfinal in Lille to move into the semifinals were they will face Portugal next week.
Belgium were the better side at the start of the game and directly put Wales under pressure before Gareth Bale’s attempt on a counter hit the sidenetting. Belgium took the lead at the other end with Radja Nainggolan firing in a 20 metre shot into the netting in the 13th minute.
But the goal somehow put a break into the Belgium game, while Wales tried to get into the game with Neil Taylor forcing Thibaut Courtois to make a brilliant save in the 26th minute before captain Ashley Williams equalised for Wales in the 31st minute through a perfectly placed header following a Aaron Ramsey corner. Wales now controlled the game with Belgium not sure what had hit them. It stayed one-all at the break.
Belgium came out of the breather with all guns firing with Romelu Lukaku first putting a header wide, then captain Eden Hazard put his shot wide and then out of nowhere Wales took the lead in the 55th minute as Ramsey again got the assist, but striker Hal Robson-Kanu scored an out of this world goal, foxing three Belgian defenders and then placing the ball past Courtois into the net.
Belgium was shocked as Wales prepared for a late onslaught with Belgium’s best chances being a header from substitute Fellaini off a Toby Alderweireld cross and an Axel Witsel long ranger before Wales sealed a sensational victory. A Chris Gunter cross from the right was perfectly headed in by substitute Sam Vokes in the 85th minute to give Wales the win as Belgium was defeated.
Wales now move into the semifinals, where they will face a much criticised Portugal with surely the neutral support being for the Red Dragons from Wales.
Carlsberg Man of the Match: Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales) #WALBEL
