Internationals | 100 caps for Ben and Monday night's action
Mon 13 October 2025, 22:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ben Davies proudly led Wales out as he earned his 100th cap against Belgium - but the night ended in disappointment for the defender.
First capped in 2012, Ben became only the fourth player to reach a century for Wales after Gareth Bale (111), Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey (both 109) as he wore the armband for an important FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Ben Davies. Cymru centurion. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/TEa1vXhydR
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 13, 2025
Everything looked to be going to plan when Ben's former Spurs team-mate Joe Rodon headed Wales into the lead after eight minutes at Cardiff City Stadium.
Unfortunately, that was the high point. Belgium levelled 10 minutes later through Kevin de Bruyne from the penalty spot after a handball against Ethan Ampadu and went ahead through Thomas Meunier on 24 minutes.
Wales fought back in terms of possession and territory at the start of the second half but then a huge blow as Ben was forced off after 71 minutes. De Bruyne soon added Belgium's third - another handball, another penalty - and any hopes of a comeback when Nathan Broadhead struck in the 89th minute were ended by Leandro Trossard's quick reply for 4-2 a minute later.
Brennan Johnson came off the bench on 58 minutes.
The result leaves Wales third in WCQ Group J with their final two matches next month against bottom side Liechtenstein (played six, lost six) on 15 November and then a crucial final game against North Macedonia, currently second, three points ahead but having played a game more, on 18 November. If, as expected, Wales beat Liechtenstein, then they will be level on points with North Macedonia going into that final group fixture.
Rest of Monday's action...
Lucas Bergvall started for Sweden but it proved a night to forget for the young midfielder - he was substituted at half-time as his side went down 1-0 at home to Kosovo in WCQ Group B. Meanwhile, in WCQ Group A, Jamie Donley remained an unused substitute as Northern Ireland lost narrowly 1-0 to Germany in Belfast.
In UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert were in flying form as France toppled Estonia 6-1 in Grenoble - read about that here - while Archie Gray and Ashley Phillips both played 90 minutes as England beat Andorra 1-0 at Pride Park. The scoreline doesn't tell the whole story - the Young Lions had 19 efforts at goal to Andorra's one.
