Bellamy admits that an automatic route to World Cup is ‘unlikely’

WALES manager Craig Bellamy admits his side’s hopes of automatic qualification for next summer's World Cup finals are likely over after their defeat to Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night.

- By TOM COLEMAN

Dejected trio Ethan Ampadu, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson applaud the fans at Cardiff City Stadium after Monday's 4-2 defeat

Despite Joe Rodon handing Wales an early lead, a penalty from Kevin De Bruyne and a strike from Thomas Meunier put the visitors in control.

A second De Bruyne penalty was then cancelled out by Nathan Broadhead’s late strike, before Leandro Trossard sealed the win in stoppage-time.

‘The result means Wales must now rely on Belgium dropping points against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein if they are to have any hope of finishing at the top of Group J, a scenario Bellamy admits is a slim prospect.

“It’s unlikely. I agree,’ he said. “We wanted top spot. Because we go straight through. Straight through to our goal.

“But I'm aware of where we are, of what the Nations League brought us, and if we finish second we know there's another opportunity.