On Friday night in Lille, Wales faced Belgium in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
Belgium took a 13th-minute lead through Radja Nainggolan, but a wonderful first period finished level after Ashley Williams equalised for Wales in the 31st minute of action.
Hal Robson-Kanu then scored a second for Wales early in the second half, before Sam Vokes added a third in the 86th minute to send Chris Coleman's side into the semi-finals.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.31pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 coverage continues from Lille as Wales take on Belgium in the quarter-finals. Belgium will fancy their chances of advancing to the final four tonight, but there is just something about this Wales team under Chris Coleman. Can Gareth Bale inspire his team to an incredible semi-final spot? It should be a cracking night of football and you can follow all the action right here!
6.34pmTonight will be the 11th meeting between these two nations in international football. Belgium just lead the head-to-head record four victories to three, while the remaining three fixtures have finished level. It is a rivalry that dates back to qualification for the European Championships in 1992, when Wales beat Belgium 3-1 in Cardiff, before holding the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
6.37pmThey also clashed during qualification for the 1994 World Cup, with both nations winning their home match 2-0. The two nations also, ironically, were in the same qualification group for this particular tournament and the points were shared in a 0-0 draw in Brussels in November 2014, before Bale scored the winner in a 1-0 Welsh victory in June 2015. Wales have actually only conceded once in their last three international fixtures with Belgium and will hope to continue that strong form tonight.
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6.40pmJust a reminder that kickoff in Lille is not until 8pm UK time, but the team news is expected to land in around 15 minutes and I shall also be running through the facts and figures ahead of the start of this quarter-final. If Belgium had been offered Wales in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, they would have taken it, but Iceland versus England on Monday night shows nothing is certain in the world of football.
6.43pmIn their first finals of a European Championship, Belgium finished third (Euro 1972). They then finished as runners-up at Euro 1980, but bowed out in the group stages four years later. The Red Devils failed to qualify for the finals between 1988 and 1996, but returned for Euro 2000 and another disappointing campaign saw them exit in the group stages after only winning one match.
6.46pmThey then missed out on Euro 2004, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, but comfortably made the finals of this championships after finishing top of Group B – two points ahead of second-place Wales. Marc Wilmots's side won seven of their 10 qualification matches and after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, had been tipped to make a strong impression in France this summer.
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6.49pmBelgium's Euro 2016 campaign got off to the worst possible start, however, as they lost 2-0 against Italy to leave them playing catch-up in Group E. There was a lot of criticism towards the national team after the defeat to Italy, but the Red Devils responded with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Republic of Ireland to leave themselves in a comfortable position in the section.
6.52pmThey needed a point in their final group match against Sweden to be sure of a place in the round of 16, but a Radja Nainggolan strike in the 84th minute secured another win for the Belgians, who took second position in Group B behind the impressive Italians. They actually avoided the holders Spain in the round of 16 by finishing second and were instead handed a more favourable tie against Hungary.
6.55pmAs it transpired, Italy proved too strong for the holders Spain and advanced themselves to the quarter-finals, but Belgium did find it very comfortable against Hungary in the round of 16 as they scored four unanswered goals in Toulouse. Toby Alderweireld opened the scoring in the 10th minute, before three goals in the final 12 minutes secured a 4-0 victory for Belgium.
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6.58pmThe main story to come out of the Hungary match was the performance of Eden Hazard, who was stunning all night. The Chelsea attacker was criticised at the 2014 World Cup and indeed against Italy earlier this summer, but he set up Michy Batshuayi for his nation's second goal, before scoring a wonderful third moments later. If Wales are to triumph tonight, they will need to find a way of stopping the brilliant 24-year-old, who has been declared fit despite suffering a slight thigh problem last time out.
7.01pmRight, time for the team news from Lille. Gareth Bale is on the bench for Wales and will be asked to play an impact role in the second period. Not really. Bale starts, while Eden Hazard has been declared fit for Belgium, who make three changes to their selection. Full selections to follow...
7.04pmTEAMS!
WAL: Hennessey; Chester, Williams, Davies; Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, Taylor; Bale, Robson-Kanu
BEL: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, J.Lukaku; Witsel, Nainggolan; Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard; R.Lukaku
7.07pmSo there we have it. Wales boss Chris Coleman has made one change to the team that beat Northern Ireland in the round of 16 and it comes at centre-forward as Hal Robson-Kanu returns ahead of Sam Vokes. Otherwise it is the same side that overcome Northern Ireland, with Ashley Williams skippering the team from defence and Joe Allen joining Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley in midfield.
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7.10pmBelgium are without the services of Thomas Vermaelen tonight through suspension, while fellow defender Jan Vertonghen is injured. That means two changes to the back four as Jason Denayer and Jordan Lukaku, brother of Romelu, come into the XI. There is also a change further forward as Yannick Ferreira Carrasco replaces Dries Mertens. As expected, Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard will once again support lone forward Romelu Lukaku. Marouane Fellaini remains on the bench for Wilmots's side.
7.13pmJust a reminder that the winner of tonight's quarter-final will face Portugal in the first semi-final next week after Fernando Santos's side beat Poland on penalties last night. In truth, it was a fairly drab encounter as the pair played out a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of football. Portugal came through in the shootout, however, to book their spot in the final four. Portugal versus Belgium or Portugal versus Wales!
7.16pmGermany will take on Italy in the third quarter-final tomorrow night in Bordeaux, before the hosts France face Iceland on Sunday night in Saint-Denis. If I were a betting man, which I am, I would be backing semi-finals of Portugal versus Belgium and Germany versus France. England could have been in that mix, but they embarrassingly lost to Iceland in the round of 16 on Monday night.
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7.19pmBelgium will enter this match off the back of three straight wins and having crushed Hungary in the last round, but the Red Devils are beatable and only won one of their three pre-tournament friendlies. They were beaten 2-1 in Portugal on March 29, while as mentioned, they lost 1-0 to Wales in June 2015. What Wales would give for a similar result tonight as they seek an incredible spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2016. The atmosphere is building with kickoff now just 40 minutes away here.
7.22pmWhile Belgium will feel confident ahead of this clash, Wales have already shown their credentials in France. Bale will, as expected, be spoken about as their main threat, but the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen have impressed in their last two matches and Ashley Williams has been sensational at the back. This is their first ever appearance in the finals of a European Championship and they will not want the journey to end in the quarter-finals. It is the biggest game in the history of Welsh football.
7.25pmAs mentioned, Wales came through the same qualification group as Belgium for Euro 2016. The Dragons won six of their 10 matches to finish in second position, despite only managing 11 goals. Making the finals was a massive achievement for the Welsh, but they have not been here for the weather and won Group B despite losing their second group match to England.
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7.28pmWales actually entered this competition off the back of a 3-0 friendly defeat to Sweden on June 5 and their performance in that match worried a few ahead of the competitive action. There were no signs of nerves in their opening Group B match of Euro 2016, however, as they recorded a 2-1 win over Slovakia to take early control of the group and put a massive three points on the board.
7.32pmVictory against England in their second match on June 16 would have secured Wales a spot in the next round as group winners and they led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Bale's second goal of the competition. It was not to be for Coleman's side, however, as Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge both came off the bench to score in a 2-1 England win. Wales have certainly had the last laugh though.
7.35pmWales could have been forgiven for letting their heads drop a little after the England defeat, but they responded with an impressive 3-0 win over Russia on June 20 to book their spot in the round of 16. England needed to beat Slovakia in their final group match to secure first position in Group B, but a draw meant that Wales topped the section and drew Northern Ireland in the next round.
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7.38pmNorthern Ireland were on their own incredible journey at the championships and the last-16 match was level at 0-0 until the 75th minute, when West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley turned a low Bale cross into the back of his own net. It was heartbreak for Northern Ireland, but scenes of jubilation for Wales as they marched on to the quarter-finals of the competition.
7.42pmBefore Euro 2016, Wales had only ever qualified for the finals of one major tournament and that was the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. They famously reached the quarter-finals on that occasion, but are looking to go one better tonight. Wales are in a win-win situation tonight, but that is not to patronise a team that have already shown their credentials to compete at this level of football.
7.45pmWales have actually only won one of their last eight international friendlies and entered this tournament having lost four of their last five non-competitive matches. The players have turned up when it matters, however, and there is no question that they want to play for Coleman. There is just something about this Welsh team at the moment that makes you believe in miracles.
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7.48pmAfter a slow start to the competition, Belgium seem to have got their act together in the last three matches and there is no question that they will feel capable of winning this competition. Hazard, now captain, earned the plaudits against Hungary, but Kevin de Bruyne was also fantastic and Romelu Lukaku, when on form and confident, can be a menace to the very best of defences.
7.52pmJust a reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
WAL: Hennessey; Chester, Williams, Davies; Gunter, Allen Ledley, Ramsey, Taylor; Bale, Robson-Kanu
BEL: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, J.Lukaku; Witsel, Nainggolan; Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard; R.Lukaku
7.55pm
Brothers Jordan and Romelu Lukaku both start for #BEL against #WAL tonight. 💪 #WALBEL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/uSpslOdDhQ
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 1, 2016
7.56pmTime for the national anthems!
7.58pmBoth anthems were emotional, as expected. It is a pretty miserable evening in terms of the weather, but the atmosphere inside the stadium is just wonderful. Belgium play in light blue tonight, while Wales are in red and white. Who will march on to face Portugal in the semi-finals?! The action is upon us!
0 minKICKOFF! Belgium get the first period underway in Lille...
2 min... you just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. I am not actually expecting this game to go the distance, famous last words! It is Belgium that have taken control of the early possession as Denayer and Jordan Lukaku receive touches of the ball.
3 minGood pressure from Belgium as De Bruyne feeds Hazard, who delivers from a wide position, but Taylor is on hand to clear at the far post. The pressure continues, however, and Carrasco's cross from the right just misses the head of Lukaku. Really open and entertaining start to this contest.
5 minBelgium have certainly started this game on the front foot, but Wales have plenty of bodies in defensive areas and it will be difficult for the Red Devils to find a clear route to the Welsh goal.
5 minBOOKING! Davies (Wales) is booked for a foul on De Bruyne.
7 minCHANCES! Oh my word! Three massive chances for Belgium! First, Lukaku picks out Carrasco with a super cross, but the attacker's effort is saved by Hennessey, before Meunier has a shot blocked on the line. It then falls to Hazard and his close-range strike is deflected over!
8 minCHANCE! Another massive chance for Belgium, but Lukaku does not gamble from a corner and fails to make contact at the far post. Any touch would have taken that in!
9 minCHANCE! Opportunity for Wales this time as Bale picks out the head of Robson-Kanu from the left, but his header is over the crossbar. What a start to this quarter-final!
10 minSHOT! Bale drives away from the Belgium defence and looks to flash a shot past Courtois, but the ball hits the side-netting. Unbelievable pace to this match at the moment.
13 minGOAL! Wales 0-1 Belgium (Nainggolan)
14 minOh my word what a strike! Belgium take the lead in the 13th minute of this match as Nainggolan absolutely hammers one into the top corner from outside the box. It is a stunning effort!
16 minHalf-chance for Wales as Bale delivers a wonderful cross from the right, but Robson-Kanu cannot make contact under pressure from Alderweireld. The pace of this match is just incredible as Belgium break straight down the other end and look for a second goal. What a 16 minutes here.
16 minBOOKING! Chester (Wales) is booked for a late challenge on Lukaku.
18 minYou just get the feeling that Wales cannot afford to concede a second goal, not this early. Belgium are absolutely flooding forward and look capable of netting each time that they break into the final third. Jordan Lukaku is the latest to deliver a dangerous cross into the Welsh box, but Chester clears.
21 minBale continues to make things happen for Wales in the final third, but Courtois has not yet had a save to make in the Belgium goal. The match is just starting to settle down following a fast start.
23 minWales need more from Ramsey at the moment - the Arsenal midfielder has been very deep in the opening 23 minutes and Belgium will be pleased to see the playmaker in his own half. Taylor breaks down the left for Wales before delivering, but Denayer is on hand to make a smart clearance.
24 minBOOKING! Gunter (Wales) is booked for a pull on De Bruyne.
26 minSAVE! What a save! Wonderful chance for Wales as Ramsey picks out Taylor with a super cross from the right, but Courtois somehow gets down low to keep out the ball!
28 minI would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals tonight as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Wales could have been forgiven for dropping into a defensive shape due to Belgium's attacking threat, but Chris Coleman's side are full of attacking intent at the moment.
30 minJordan Lukaku has looked a little bit shaky in the last few minutes and Robson-Kanu is causing the left-back all sorts of problems in the final third. The first Welsh corner of the night is delivered by Ramsey, but Witsel is on hand to make the clearance as Wales force another corner from the right.
31 minGOAL! Wales 1-1 Belgium (Williams)
31 minWe are all square! Wales level the scores in the 30th minute of action as Williams heads a Ramsey corner into the back of the net from close range. Not sure about the marking from Belgium there!
33 minYou just cannot take your eyes off this game at the moment as Carrasco delivers a wonderful cross towards Lukaku and Hennessey just about does enough to palm clear under pressure.
34 minSAVE! Courtois gets down to keep out a Bale effort following a super run!
36 minBelgium threatened to run away with this match after such a strong start, but Wales are now on the front foot and Bale is absolutely terrorising Belgium's inexperienced defence at the moment.
39 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining and this has been quite comfortably the best game in the knockout stages of this competition and possibly the whole tournament to date.
41 minWales threaten from another corner, but this time Chester can only head high and wide at the far post under pressure from Jordan Lukaku. Not too much happening for Belgium at the moment.
43 minJust a reminder that the winner of this match will take on Portugal in the semi-finals next week. Based on what we have seen from Portugal, Wales or Belgium would fancy their chances in that match. Could Wales reach the final of Euro 2016? Stranger things have happened, that is for sure.
43 minCLOSE! Ramsey's strike hits Denayer and just drops wide of Courtois's post!
44 minCHANCE! Williams again makes first contact on a corner from Ramsey, but this time, the captain's header is over the crossbar. He was once again unmarked there!
45 min+1CHANCE! Ramsey again breaks away and sets up Robson-Kanu with a super cross, but his header is straight at Courtois. That should be that for the first period here.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Wales 1-1 Belgium
8.48pmAnd breathe! What a half of football! When Nainggolan sent Belgium ahead in the 13th minute with a wonderful long-range effort, Wales were struggling. The Dragons have responded brilliantly, however, and will enter the break level at 1-1 courtesy of a Williams header in the 31st minute here.
8.53pmSTATS! Wales have dominated the possession with 57%, while they have had 10 attempts, four of which were on target. Belgium, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts in the first 45 minutes. There have also been three yellow cards, all for Wales - Davies, Chester and Gunter.
8.58pmBENCH WATCH! Wales are creating plenty of chances here, but Coleman has the likes of Simon Church, Jonny Williams and Sam Vokes on his bench in Lille. Belgium, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Batshuayi, Benteke, Dembele, Fellaini, Mertens and Origi. There is no question that the Red Devils are missing the experience of Vermaelen and Vertonghen tonight.
46 minRESTART! Wales resume the action in Lille...
47 min... BEL SUB! Fellaini has replaced Carrasco for Belgium.
49 minI just hope that this game does not fizzle out into a 1-1 draw and then extra-time and penalties. I would welcome another 30 minutes if the second period is as good as the first, but there is always the danger of both teams protecting what they have. Fairly low-key start to the second 45 here.
49 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Belgium to score a second as Meunier delivers a super cross onto the head of Lukaku, but the striker's header is wide of the post. Should have scored!
50 minBelgium have started to play again and De Bruyne cuts inside the challenge of Ledley before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. We are back in the groove!
50 minCLOSE! Hazard once again cuts in from the left and looks to pick out the bottom corner with a curling strike, but his effort just moves wide of the far post. That is more like it.
52 minWales just need to be careful here as the pressure builds from Belgium, who have made a fast start to the second period. Lukaku is once again the danger from a deep cross, but Williams heads behind.
54 minThis is much more like it from Belgium as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. A loose pass from De Bruyne allows Ramsey to clear, however, and the Arsenal midfielder is then fouled by Nainggolan. What a game of football in Lille - how one earth is it only 1-1!
55 minGOAL! Wales 2-1 Belgium (Robson-Kanu)
56 minOh my word! Wales take the lead in the 55th minute of this quarter-final as Robson-Kanu turns away from Meunier inside the Belgium box before finishing into the back of the net!
58 minWhat a turn-up! What a tournament! What a night! Wales are little over 30 minutes away from making the semi-finals of Euro 2016. They have been, to a man, wonderful in this match.
59 minBOOKING! Fellaini (Belgium) is booked for a late challenge on Bale.
62 minSAVE! Belgium again get themselves in a mess from a corner and Courtois has to save from Williams after the ball had once again found the Wales skipper!
64 minRobson-Kanu does not have a club after leading Reading on a free transfer, but I suspect that there will be a few offers after his performances at these championships. Wales are still on the front foot, but there is a long time left and Belgium have a number of brilliant attackers in their ranks.
65 minDe Bruyne stands over a free kick outside the Wales box, but his effort is straight at Hennessey, who can collect and just settle things down. Little over 25 minutes of normal time remaining here.
66 minWilliams hits a volley over as Belgium again fail to properly clear a corner!
68 minYou still get the feeling that there are chances in this game for Belgium, but Wales are always a threat when they break forward. Bale and Ramsey have both been sensational tonight.
71 minFellaini again dives into a challenge with Taylor and the Manchester United midfielder needs to be very careful having already picked up a yellow card. Still no movement on the Wales bench here.
72 minCHANCE! Brilliant from De Bruyne as the Belgian attacker shows wonderful control in a tight area before delivering a low cross into Lukaku, but Chester is across to clear!
74 minWales need to be careful here as Belgium continue to dominate possession of the ball. You still get the feeling that there is another goal or at least another big chance left in this match.
74 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Fellaini as Alderweireld picks out the Man United midfielder with a super cross, but he somehow heads wide of the post!
75 minBOOKING! Ramsey (Wales) is booked for handball.
76 minBEL SUB! Mertens replaces Jordan Lukaku for Belgium.
78 minFellaini remains a threat for Belgium due to his aerial presence, but Wales are just about surviving and Witsel just cannot meet another knockdown from the towering Fellaini inside the box.
78 minWAL SUB! Andy King replaces Ledley for Wales.
80 minWales are playing a very dangerous game at the moment as Belgium continue to cause problems in the final third. Witsel hits one from distance as Wales drop off, but the ball flies over the target.
81 minWAL SUB! Sam Vokes replaces Robson-Kanu for Wales.
83 minNainggolan goes over inside the Wales box, but the referee is not interested!
84 minBEL SUB! Batshuayi replaces Romelu Lukaku.
85 minSimply all one-way traffic here as Belgium throw everyone forward.
85 minBOOKING! Alderweireld (Belgium) is booked for dissent.
85 minGOAL! Wales 3-1 Belgium (Vokes)
86 minOh my word! Wales are heading for the semi-finals! Chris Coleman's side have scored a third as Vokes heads a wonderful Gunter cross past Courtois into the far corner!
88 minBelgium continue to deliver into the Wales box, but the defending is heroic!
90 minWAL SUB! James Collins replaces Ramsey for Wales.
90 min+1Just the three additional minutes have been added here!
90 min+2It is attack versus defence at the moment as Wales camp inside their own box, but time is running out and the noise inside the stadium is just wonderful. They are so, so close to the semi-finals.
90 min+3Wales will take on Portugal in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 next week. It will be Cristiano Ronaldo against Gareth Bale, but Ramsey will miss out after picking up a soft yellow card for handball.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Wales 3-1 Belgium
9.52pmIncredible! What a night! The referee blows the final whistle and Wales have booked their spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 with a 3-1 win over Belgium. Next up, Portugal next Wednesday! That is just about it from me tonight, but what a game of football! Join Sports Mole again soon!
