World Cup European qualifiers: Belgium beats Wales and Italy beats Moldova

Xinhua News Agency, London, June 9 (Reporter Zhang Wei) The 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup European Qualifiers held several competitions on the 9th. Belgium sent Wales away with De Bruyne's last-minute goal; Italy defeated Moldova 2-0 at home. Belgium in Group J achieved a fantastic start in Brussels. First, Lukaku hit a penalty, then Tillermans pushed the ball to score. Since then, Duoku cut inside from the right and shot low to break the net, and the Belgian team has achieved a 3:0 lead after 27 minutes.

However, Wales not only won a goal with a penalty before the end of the first half, but also scored twice in the change of sides, pulling both sides back to the same starting line. At the critical moment, 33-year-old De Bruyne stepped forward and pushed the ball into the penalty area in the 88th minute to the net, helping the home team win 4:3.

Belgian coach Garcia believes that the players are too exhausted is an important reason for their performance that day. "Some players didn't play too many games because of injuries, while others played too long." However, he said that there were games in September, October and November, and the team still had time to adjust. Their goal was to win and rank first in the group.

In the same day in Group I match, Italy sent Moldova away 2:0 with the goals of Laspadori and Cambiaso, and bid farewell to coach Spalletti with victory. 66-year-old Spaletti received a dismissal letter after losing to Norway 0:3 on the 6th. On the 9th, he was his last game in coaching the "Blue Army". Norway defeated Estonia 1:0 on the same day, achieving four consecutive victories.

In addition, Croatia defeated the Czech Republic 5:1 at home, achieving two consecutive victories in Group L. (End)