Simon Church’s Wales secured a place in the semi finals of Euro 2016 with a 3-1 victory over Belgium in Lille.
Group B winners Wales, who defeated Northern Ireland in the Round of 16, fell behind but fought their way back to book their spot in the Last 4 of a major tournament for the first time ever.
Belgium went into the game having netted eight goals without reply in their three previous games and they opened the scoring 13 minutes in courtesy of a 25-yeard thunderbolt from midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
Wales, though, replied on the half-hour mark when Ashley Williams headed in from a corner and their delight increased further on 55 minutes as Hal Robson-Kanu finished past Thibaut Courtois, after a superb turn in the box.
Belgium responded and threatened a leveller but Wales withstood the pressure and then sealed an historic victory late on through substitute Sam Vokes’ header.
The win sets up a semi final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at the Stade des Lumières on Wednesday night.
Church, who was an unused substitute in the quarter final triumph, is awaiting his second appearance at the tournament, while Academy graduate George Williams has yet to feature. Former Dons loanee Jonny Williams has played three times so far at Euro 2016.
Belgium went into the game having netted eight goals without reply in their three previous games and they opened the scoring 13 minutes in courtesy of a 25-yeard thunderbolt from midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
Wales, though, replied on the half-hour mark when Ashley Williams headed in from a corner and their delight increased further on 55 minutes as Hal Robson-Kanu finished past Thibaut Courtois, after a superb turn in the box.
Belgium responded and threatened a leveller but Wales withstood the pressure and then sealed an historic victory late on through substitute Sam Vokes’ header.
The win sets up a semi final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at the Stade des Lumières on Wednesday night.
Church, who was an unused substitute in the quarter final triumph, is awaiting his second appearance at the tournament, while Academy graduate George Williams has yet to feature. Former Dons loanee Jonny Williams has played three times so far at Euro 2016.
