Wales Suffers Heavy Defeat Against Belgium in Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Wales' hopes of qualifying for the 2027 European Under-21 Championship took another hit as they faced a staggering 7-0 defeat against an impressive Belgium side.
Under the management of Matty Jones, Wales had previously lost 6-2 to Denmark in their opening Group I match in September, also held at Newport's Rodney Parade.
Belgium seized an early advantage just four minutes into the match, with defender Jorthy Mokio scoring from close range after Wales captain Charlie Crew flicked on a corner taken by Diego Moreira.
The visitors extended their lead six minutes before halftime when Lucas Stassin found himself unmarked at the far post, finishing Matteo Dams' cross with precision.
Wales goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin made a crucial save to deny Stassin a second goal shortly after the break. However, from the resulting corner, Romeo Vermant powered a header into the net, further increasing Belgium's lead.
Vermant nearly scored again soon after, curling a shot just past the post, while at the other end, Cameron Congreve fired over the bar.
Wales' situation worsened when Ed James received a second yellow card for a challenge on Vermant, leaving the team with ten men.
Stassin added his second goal and Belgium's fourth when a corner from Mbangula fell perfectly for him to head in from close range.
The outstanding Moreira then scored Belgium's fifth with a powerful strike from outside the box that left Benjamin with no chance.
In a further blow to Wales, Sam Parker conceded a penalty for a foul on substitute Stanis Idumbo, which Norman Bassette converted successfully.
Wales' misery was compounded in stoppage time when Noah Adedeji-Sternberg netted a seventh goal for the visitors.
This second consecutive heavy defeat leaves Wales at the bottom of Group I, with their next match scheduled away against Austria on Tuesday, 14 October. Only the group winners will qualify automatically for the finals, while the runners-up will enter the play-offs.