Wales will meet Belgium on July 1, at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille for this round of 8 match-up. The odds makers are listing Belgium as the big favorite at -138.
FIFA Ranking
Wales: 26
Belgium: 2
Past Head to Head match ups:
- 6/12/2015 EC Qualification 2016 Wales 1 – 0 Belgium
- 11/16/2014 EC Qualification 2016 Belgium 0 – 0 Wales
- 10/15/2013 WC Qualification Europe 2014 Belgium 1 – 1 Wales
- 9/7/2012 WC Qualification Europe 2014 Wales 0 – 2 Belgium
- 10/11/1997 WC Qualification Europe 1998 Belgium 3 – 2 Wales
- 3/29/1997 WC Qualification Europe 1998 Wales 1 – 2 Belgium
Last Three Matches: Wales
- 6/16/2016 England 2 Wales 1 European Championship
- 6/20/2016 Russia 0 Wales 3 European Championship
- 6/25/2016 Wales 1 Northern Ireland European Championship.
Belgium
- 6/18/2016 Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0 European Championship
- 6/22/2016 Sweden 0 Belgium 1 European Championship
- 6/26/2016 Belgium 3 Hungary 0 European Championship
Belgium is the 2nd team in the world according to FIFA and they have lived up to that ranking in their last few matches. After a 2-0 loss in their Euro opener facing Italy they have won three in a row and have not allowed one goal.
Wales is a surprise quarterfinalist in the Euro and they have two straight clean sheets. They are a big betting underdog facing a Belgium squad that is solid all-around the pitch and has scored eight goals in their last three matches and four in their last one facing Hungary in the round of 16.
While Wales is the betting underdog they have to be confident coming into this match. First of all they have been solid in the tournament so far and they faced Belgium in Euro qualifying winning at home and playing to a draw on the road.
Wales has a chance to make it to their first ever semifinals of a major international tournament with a win over Belgium.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard has been impressive so far in the tournament and he had a goal and an assist in the thrashing of Hungary. With he, Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, and Chelsea GK Thibaut Courtois they are a very balanced squad that really has the advantage in the midfield, where they have been impressive in the last few matches.
Wales may have been the 2nd best team on the pitch when they beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in the round of 16 and their lone goal was an own-goal. However, the squad has played solid defense and Real Madrid striker Gareth Bale has got a lot of help up front from the duo of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen.
One big concern for the Welsh squad is Ashley Williams, as he was banged up late in the last match and is a question mark for this one. If he cannot go the defense will take a big hit.
Wales are unbeaten in the last four matches against Belgium with a win and two draws.