WALES’ World Cup qualifier defeat to Belgium was halted by a rat!
Craig Bellamy’s Dragons hosted the Group J favourites at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night but lost 4-2 after taking an early lead through Joe Rodon.
However, there was a pause in the 66th minute when a rat was spotted on the pitch.
Germany referee Daniel Siebert halted play until the vermin left the playing surface.
Wales and Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson was closest to the rat and looked bemused by what he was seeing before chasing it off the field.
Fans reacted to the bizarre scenes on social media, with one saying: “Rodent’s goal!”
Another declared: “He’s man of the match.”
One added: “Sneaking on another player.”
Before the rat’s cameo, it was Kevin De Bruyne who took centre stage for Belgium.
The Manchester City legend was back in the UK and reminded everyone of his quality by slotting home a couple of penalties to take Belgium within touching distance of the World Cup finals.
His second spot-kick came just minutes after the cheeky rodent had to be chased off.
And this defeat means it will be squeaky bum time for Craig Bellamy and his Dragons – who will need to go via the play-offs in March again if they are to reach the USA.
A win here would have put them top of the group – but Wales always knew it would be a tall order as Belgium have lost only one qualifier in the last 14 years.
Yet if the Dragons needed something to cling onto – that defeat was here 10 years ago when Gareth Bale got the winner.
And for a while they looked capable of repeating the trick as they went at the visitors from the off.
Their bright start was rewarded in the eighth minute as Sorba Thomas swung over a corner from the left and Rodon peeled off Amadou Onana to nod past Thibaut Courtois.
The Leeds defender scored his first Prem goal recently – and for a few brief minutes this looked like it could be an even bigger one for him.
Yet his joy was short-lived as his club mate Ethan Ampadu raised a hand as he got in the way of a cross-shot from Charles De Ketelaere.
The appeals were waved away initially by the German ref but the VAR told him to have another look and he pointed to the spot.
It was harsh but Kevin De Bruyne didn’t care – as he sent Karl Darlow the wrong way from the spot.
Dragons boss Craig Bellamy was furious – picking up a yellow card that means he will have to watch the next game in Liechtenstein as he was also booked in Belgium back in June.
The equaliser quietened the home crowd and completely changed the game – so it came as no surprise when the visitors were ahead six minutes later.
Jeremy Doku has been in electric form for Manchester City yet he was given the freedom of South Wales on his wing.
He drifted in and laid it back for Thomas Meunier to thump a shot past Darlow at his near post.
The Lille defender was famously left flummoxed by Hal Robson Kanu’s ‘Cruyff turn’ during the Euro 2016 quarter final so that a bit of revenge nine years on.
Doku was causing havoc and teed up chances for both De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard which could have almost sealed the victory for the visitors.
However it was all over when Jordan James needlessly handled a chip forward by Trossard – and KDB scored his second pen of the night with the minimum of fuss.
This was a happier return to these shores for the Napoli man – who was subbed off after just 20 minutes when he was back at the Etihad with his new club last month.
Sub Nathan Broadhead lashed home a consolation after good work by fellow sub Kieffer Moore to give Wales some home of salvaging a draw.
But that was quickly snuffed out as Timothy Castagne’s cross found its way to Trossard at the back post – and the Arsenal man made no mistake.
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