Bellamy believes there is always a 'special moment coming'

CRAIG BELLAMY is convinced that a “special moment” is always waiting and Wales hope to turn that into reality in their crunch World Cup qualifier against Belgium this evening.

- By PHIL BLANCHE

The sombre mood that followed Thursday's comprehensive 3-0 Wembley defeat to England had the perfect pick-me-up 24 hours later, as group favourites Belgium were held to a 0-0 draw at home by North Macedonia.

That result placed Wales’ World Cup destiny in their own hands as far as automatic qualification is concerned.

Win their three remaining fixtures - Belgium and the November doubleheader away to Liechtenstein and North Macedonia - and Wales will top Group J and secure automatic qualification for the 2026 finals, thereby avoiding the lottery of the playoffs.

"It's everything," Bellamy told assembled media ahead of Belgium's visit to a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium, which will evoke memories of a 2015 duel between the two nations there when a Gareth Bale winner gave Wales belief that the wait for a first major tournament since 1958 would soon be at an end.

"I'm quite positive. Do you want to go to America? So do I. Give everything we've got to get there.

"It (the response to Wembley) has given me the feeling this team can go a lot further. That leaves you excited. I believe there's always a special moment coming.

"Players have been in this situation so many times over the last 10 years, especially Cardiff nights.

"When we've managed to qualify it's been here. The crowd is used to this environment and these moments.”