Bellamy 'beyond proud of Wales' spirit in Brussels

CRAIG BELLAMY insisted Wales' hopes of qualifying automatically for the World Cup were far from over despite their dramatic 4-3 defeat to Belgium.

- By PHIL BLANCHE

Wales lost a seven-goal thriller in Brussels after fighting back from a 3-0 deficit, only for Kevin De Bruyne to deliver a gut punch two minutes from time.

It was Bellamy's first defeat in 10 games in charge and Wales were also knocked off top spot in Group J by North Macedonia, 1-0 winners in Kazakhstan earlier on Monday.

Belgium are three points behind Wales with two games in hand and will visit Cardiff in October for the return fixture.

The group winners will qualify automatically for next summer's World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with Wales almost certainly guaranteed a play-off place through their Nations League results.