Belgium vs. Cymru | 2027 European Under-21 Championship – Qualifying competition – Grp9

MATCH SUMMARY

Cymru suffered a 1-0 defeat against Belgium in Westerlo, but the character and resilience shown by his side after going down to 10-men, together with the performance of goalkeeper Joe Duncan on his U21 debut, will give Matty Jones plenty of positives to take into the final group match against Austria next week.

Belgium went into the match as Group I leaders following their 1-0 win over Belarus on Thursday, and made three changes as Richie Sagrado, Arthur Piedfort and Jesse Bisiwu came into the starting line-up. Meanwhile, Jones handed U21 debuts to Ronan Kpakio and Duncan.

It was back in October 2025 that Belgium registered a 7-0 win over Cymru in Newport, and they went ahead inside the opening eight minutes as a cross from Romeo Vermant was finished by Norman Bassette. Belgium dominated with the one-goal advantage, but Cymru responded well as they quickly settled into the match.

For all their early possession, Belgium failed to test Duncan after the goal, but it was a different story at the other end. Archie Harris and Ronan Kpakio both asked questions of the Belgian defence with testing balls into the area, and Cymru would create the best chance of the half on 27 minutes.

A through ball to Calum Agius found him one-on-one with goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans but only a fine save from close range prevented Cymru from equalising. Minutes later, Kpakio and Harris again caused doubt in the home defence, but the visitors just could not capitalise on the opportunities being created.

However, Cymru would have a setback just before half-time as Dan Cox was booked twice in quick succession and was sent off on 40 minutes. Belgium were visibly lifted by the decision, and Bassette could have scored a second when he dispossessed Duncan but could not convert into the empty net.

With their extra-man advantage, Belgium dominated the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half with Duncan being called into action to deny Bassette from scoring his second on multiple occasions. The debutant keeper was in inspired form as his side were being overrun in defence, much to the concern of the away bench.

A pause in play on the hour mark allowed Jones to get his players together on the touchline, while a string of changes for both teams minutes later disrupted the domination that Belgium had become accustomed to since the restart. Vermant, Piedfort and Arthur Vermeeren had chances for the home side, but Cymru would finish the stronger of the two teams.

In fact, Cymru laid siege on the Belgium penalty area in the final exchanges, forcing a series of corners that saw Duncan come up to try and round-off his memorable debut. However, Belgium resisted the increased pressure from the visitors to claim the win ahead of their decisive match against Denmark next week.

FULL-TIME VERDICT

Despite the 1-0 defeat, Cymru can take plenty positives from this performance as they head into their final group match against Austria next week. Belgium took an early lead through the impressive Norman Bassette but Cymru responded well and created chances of their own. The game shifted on 40 minutes when Cymru defender Dan Cox was sent off and Belgium dominated for long periods of the 2nd half, with only an excellent performance from debutant goalkeeper Joe Duncan preventing them from extending their advantage. Both teams made a number of changes and that did take the rhythm out of the match, but this was a resilient performance from Cymru against strong opposition that showed just how much this team has grown since the start of the campaign.

A great effort from Vermeeren brings out a great save from Duncan. The goalkeeper has done exceptionally well on his U21 debut.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa is crowded out by the Belgian defence

A string of changes for both teams, it will be interesting to see how this alters the run of play.

The chances continue for Belgium as Piedfort hits the side netting. Cymru can only withstand this constant pressure for so long.

Another one-on-one between Bassette and Duncan, a strong challenge from the goalkeeper denies the striker who now requires treatment. A welcome pause in play for Cymru and a chance for Matty Jones to get his players together on the touchline.

Archie Harris created a number of chances for Cymru in the opening half

Bassette with a good chance again but Duncan does really well to make the save. Cymru will be very concerned about these chances Belgium are creating.

Belgium get the 2nd half underway with no changes from either side.

A big chance for Belgium as Bassette tackles Duncan but cannot finish the chance.

Another opportunity for Cymru as a cross from Harris troubles Brughmans but Biancheri cannot capitalise on a great delivery.

A really positive period for Cymru as Kpakio drills the ball across the Belgian area but nobody can get that decisive touch. Cymru need to make this spell count,

Cymru are starting to ask a few more questions of the Belgian defence as they settle into the match. Matty Jones will be pleased with the reaction of his players to conceding that early goal.

Belgium continue to dominate possession in the Cymru half but Duncan hasn’t been tested since they opened the scoring.

Norman Bassette yn roi Gwlad Belg ar y blaen ar ôl saith munud 🇧🇪#U21EURO | https://t.co/USMNvKjy4c 📺 pic.twitter.com/xwjwLt5fKT

— Sgorio (@sgorio) September 29, 2026

An early run forward from Kpakio but Belgium soon regain possession, expect the home side to have plenty of the ball this evening.

Hên Wlad Fy Nhadau yn Westerlo 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿#U21EURO | https://t.co/USMNvKjy4c 📺 pic.twitter.com/WjnSiUSNTZ

— Sgorio (@sgorio) September 29, 2026

Cymru U21 head coach Matty Jones is all smiles

Checking out the surroundings ahead of kick-off

Cymru will wear yellow in Westerlo this evening

Welcome to the het Kuipje Stadium in Westerlo. Team news is coming very soon.

DIWRNOD Y GÊM 🇧🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Our #U21EURO qualifying campaign continues away in Belgium 👊 pic.twitter.com/0HQ1dOKM15

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) September 29, 2026

"We're evolving the squad, and that evolution piece is huge"

Sylwadau rheolwr dan 21 @Cymru Matty Jones 🗣️

Matty Jones discusses the bond within his under 21's squad ahead of the upcoming qualifiers, LIVE on Sgorio 📺@S4Cchwaraeon | #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/d01IJkADxA

— Sgorio (@sgorio) September 28, 2026

JONES EXCITED FOR BELGIUM CHALLENGE

Cymru U21 head coach Matty Jones spoke to the media Monday lunchtime about the challenge of taking on Group I leaders Belgium in Westerlo on Tuesday night.

“I’m expecting high levels of individual brilliance and a well-structured team,” he explained. “They will be well-drilled and well-organised, and they have the luxury of incredible players.

“So, we’re aware of all that, but we have the confidence and belief that we’re in a place now where we are physically developed, we have an improved mentality and we’re more tactful based on the experiences that certain players are having at their clubs.

Belgium claimed a convincing 7-0 win over Cymru in October last year, but the side have claimed victories over Austria and Belarus since that defeat and Jones believes they are in a much stronger position now.

“I’m envisaging a game where we’re going to be a lot more competitive, more robust and more disciplined when it comes to managing moments,” he added. “We can’t afford to have players sent off or concede set-pieces like we did last time, and we’re in a much better place to compete than we were 12 months ago.”

Click here for more from Matty Jones ahead of the match against Belgium

KAI ANDREWS ON BELGIUM TEST

Cymru’s Kai Andrews spoke to the media on Monday as his side prepare to get back to UEFA U21 EURO qualifying against current Group I leaders Belgium in Westerlo tomorrow night.

“We know the quality that they bring,” said Andrews. “We obviously suffered in the last game, we felt that quality, but it’s not a game for us to fear. I think all the players we respect and we respect how good they are as a team, but there’s no fear going into the game.”

Belgium claimed a 7-0 win when the two nations met at Rodney Parade last October, but Andrews is confident that his side can produce a lot more on Tuesday. “It’s a very exciting game for us as a group,” he added. “The whole squad’s just ready to go and compete and I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Currently on-loan at Oxford United from Coventry City, Andrews is now being coached by former Cymru stars Aaron Ramsey and Chris Gunter, and is relishing the experience.

“It’s been a great start for me,” he added. “Obviously a fresh move for me, but a nice and refreshing move as well. I’ve had a good start at the club and I’ve came into this camp feeling really confident and just excited for the two games ahead of us.

“He (Ramsey) was obviously such a good player in his time and so it’s really a privilege for me to be able to pick his brains and to be able to learn from him. He’s filled me with confidence from the minute I joined the team and helped me settle in. It’s been wonderful to work with him.”

PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

The Cymru U21 squad were back on the training ground this week ahead of their penultimate EURO qualifier against Belgium in Westerlo on Tuesday (7pm UK).

Cymru have six points from their opening six games of the campaign while Belgium currently sit top of the group.

Gemau rhagbrofol Euro 2027 Cymru dan 21 yn fyw ⚽️

Watch Cymru Under-21s’ final two Euro 2027 qualifiers live on Sgorio 👇 pic.twitter.com/FehhC4ZebB

— Sgorio (@sgorio) September 25, 2026

THE CAMPAIGN SO FAR

Cymru head to Westerlo to take on current Group I leaders Belgium in their penultimate match of the campaign on Tuesday night (7pm UK) with qualification still possible for Matty Jones’ side.

With two victories from their opening six games in what is a very competitive group, Cymru are just four points behind the three teams tied at the top of the table.

The campaign began for Cymru last September with a 6-2 defeat to Denmark in Newport, despite the home side taking a two goal lead after 28 minutes. A heavy 7-0 home defeat to an impressive Belgium side followed a few weeks later.

Cymru then claimed the result of the group as goals from Gabriele Biancheri and Chris Popov sealed a 2-0 win against Austria in Linz, but the hard work was undone with a 3-0 loss to Belarus in Georgia a month later.

The action resumed in March as Cymru made amends with a 2-0 win over Belarus in Newport through goals form Biancheri (below) and Archie Harris, but a comprehensive 4-0 defeat away to Denmark a few days later has left Cymru needing maximum points from their final two games to have any chance of qualifying.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

Cymru head coach Matty Jones has named his 23-man squad for the final two Group I qualifiers against Belgium and Austria.

The squad includes three players in Charlie Crew, Kai Andrews and Ronan Kpakio who have been capped by Craig Bellamy’s senior squad, while Charlie Stevens, Logan Stretch, Ollie Bostock and Robert Tankiewicz were involved in the UEFA U19 EURO Finals this summer.

Alex Williams, Archie Harris and Joel Cotterill are amongst those in the squad who will represent Cymru at this level for the final time, while at the other end of the scale, Noah Anyadike and Reece Munro are two players involved with the U21 squad for the first time.

In what has been a competitive group, Cymru have claimed six points from the opening six games with victories away to Austria and at home to Belarus. Belgium, Denmark and Austria are currently top of the group on 10 points.

Only the group winners will qualify automatically for the 2027 UEFA U21 Finals that will take place in Albania and Serbia next year. The group runners-up will then enter the play-offs. Only Belarus are no longer in contention for a place at the finals.

Cymru will travel to Westerlo to face Belgium on Tuesday 29 September (KO 7pm BST) before hosting Austria at the Oval in Caernarfon a week later on Tuesday 6 October (KO 5:30pm) Both matches will be shown live on Sgorio.