Belgium beat Wales 4-2 to top Group J

Belgium moved top of Group J and dealt a blow to Wales hopes of automatic World Cup qualification with a 4-2 win at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday, in a match briefly halted when a rat scurried onto the pitch and was escorted off by Wales substitute Brennan Johnson. The visitors recovered from an early deficit to take the lead through Thomas Meunier and two Kevin De Bruyne penalties, while Nathan Broadhead and Joe Rodon struck for Wales.

Joe Rodon gave Wales the perfect start in the eighth minute, rising to meet a Sorba Thomas corner and head past Thibaut Courtois. Belgium were level within 10 minutes when Charles De Ketelaeres struck and the ball hit Ethan Ampadu on the arm. After a VAR review, referee Daniel Siebert awarded a penalty and De Bruyne converted from the spot. Belgium then took the lead in the 24th minute when Jeremy Doku’s run created space for Meunier to fire a low finish past Karl Darlow.

The second half followed a similar pattern of Belgium pressure and incisive breaks. Play was paused in the 66th minute after a Belgian player received treatment for a head knock. Before the match could resume a rat was sighted near the penalty area. Courtois attempted to...