Lille: History awaits the victors as Wales talisman Gareth Bale and rejuvenated Belgium star Eden Hazard lead their respective golden generations into battle in the Euro quarterfinal. Belgium, second in the FIFA ranking, are desperate to make good on their squad’s vast potential and reach a first major semifinal since the 1986 World Cup.
Wales are riding high in their first major tournament in 58 years and having outlasted British rivals England and Northern Ireland, their confidence is at an all-time high. “I think it is fair to say it could be the biggest ever game for Wales,” said Bale, the tournament’s joint-top scorer with three goals. “It is one we’re looking forward to. Hopefully we can get into the semis,” he added.
Like Hazard, Bale is the symbol of his team’s rise. He has already enjoyed success against Belgium, scoring the only goal of the teams’ qualifying encounter in Cardiff a year ago. It was a result that confirmed Wales’s arrival as a force, but Belgium defender Alderweireld is confident his side will not meet the same fate again. “We have the players to stop Bale,” he said.
With average squad ages of 26.9 and 26 respectively, Wales and Belgium convene at a time when both groups of players are arriving at maturity.
Belgium’s star-studded line-up makes them favourites, but Coleman believes the expectation that has clung to their players in recent years could give his side an advantage.
