Moore eliminates De Bruyne’s opening goal to ensure Page’s men have a home-field advantage in World Cup Qualifiers

KIEFFER MOORE is the hero of Wales after winning tickets to the semi-finals of the World Cup play-off at home.

The Cardiff forward scored his eighth goal for the Dragons to secure second place in Group E behind leaders Belgium.

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Moore’s leveling after Kevin de Bruyne’s opener means Robert Page’s side are seeded in next Friday’s play-off draw and will avoid Euro big guns Portugal and Italy in the semi-finals.

Wales did not have the Gareth Bale amulet because of the injury but former lifeguard Moore came to their rescue.

Dragons fans may have feared the worst at dawn of this woeful World Cup qualifier when record-scorer Bale was disqualified.

But the dream of going to Qatar of the Dragons still exists thanks to the replacement of Bale – the cult hero Moore.

Since Moore’s debut for Wales in September 2019, he has scored more goals – eight goals – in all competitions than any other player.

And the giant striker always seems to have big goals for his country.

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Moore helped Wales reach the Euro 2020 finals with important efforts against Slovakia and Azerbaijan.

The 24-cap then tied for an equalizer with the Swiss in Baku last summer before his winner in Estonia kept Robert Page en route to these global finals.

Dan James showed some tenacity on the left and, after delivering his cross on the third attempt, Moore capitalized on a poor mistake by Belgium centre-back Arthur Theate, tapping one-touch and hitting the ball. shot down and defeated Koen Casteels.

Wales’ first shot of the game – after 32 minutes – sparked wild celebrations in Cardiff.

With 100 starters Bale dropped from the squad after not recovering in time after 45 minutes due to a hamstring injury against Belarus, Moore is back from a one-match ban – and the contribution of How important he has proven to be.

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Belgium – ranked 1st in the world – has overtaken Qatar and is without stars Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

But the dwindling Reds sent a message of intent to win early on as Liverpool striker Divock Origi watched his 11th-minute shot be blurred by Danny Ward.

Roberto Martinez’s side then took the lead thanks to de Bruyne’s classy shot into the bottom corner less than 60 seconds later.

Joe Rodon was only able to save Axel Witsel’s shot for the Manchester City midfielder, who edged past Ward from 20 yards.

De Bruyne, tonight’s captain, has been directly involved in 24 goals in 19 appearances for Belgium.

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KDB then opened fire heavily before Wales leveled Moore in just half an hour.

Wales midfielder Joe Morrell was shown a yellow card for a foul on Witsel and that saw him out of the play-offs next spring.

Belgium almost scored a world goal when Thorgan Hazard’s volley from de Bruyne’s free-kick hit the post.

Wales equalized at half-time and had a chance to take the lead but Connor Roberts could only make a terrible cut after Dan James darted forward following a Dedryck Boyata mistake.

Neco Williams forced the Casteels to a stop while Ward trailed Boyata’s late header but the draw, which meant Wales finished a point above the Czech Republic, was celebrated at the final whistle as a victory. famous.

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