Belgium’s hopes of confirming their place at the 2026 World Cup were postponed after they could not overcome a determined Kazakhstan side.

The group leaders arrived expecting another straightforward outing following their dominant six-goal display in the previous encounter.

However, the match took an unexpected turn when the home team struck first, with 17-year-old Dastan Satpayev finding a gap at Matz Sels’ near post.

Despite sustained pressure, the away team struggled to break through before the interval.

Belgium fight back but fall short

Kazakhstan’s goalkeeper, Temirlan Anarbekov, repeatedly frustrated Belgian attempts, producing several important interventions.

The breakthrough finally arrived shortly after the restart, when Hans Vanaken guided a header into the net from a Timothy Castagne delivery.

Belgium increased the tempo as they hunted a decisive goal but continued to meet resistance across the pitch. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku came closest, dragging an inviting chance wide as time began to run out.

Kazakhstan hold on with ten men

The hosts faced a tougher challenge late in the contest after Islam Chesnokov received a red card, forcing Kazakhstan to finish a player down.

Even with the numerical advantage, Belgium could not turn possession into a match-winning strike.

Kazakhstan remained compact and disciplined, securing an unexpected result that halted the group leaders’ celebrations.

Belgium still sits at the summit and can book their ticket with a victory against Liechtenstein on Tuesday.

Wales inched toward their qualification target with a labored victory in Vaduz, struggling for rhythm against a Liechtenstein side made up largely of non-professional players.

The visiting team controlled possession from the outset but failed to break down a well-organized defense, with Nathan Broadhead having a strike cancelled following a lengthy VAR intervention for offside interference.

Benjamin Buchel, heavily relied upon by his national team, was required to intervene several times but never appeared overwhelmed by Wales’ often predictable attacking combinations.

A lack of creativity left Craig Bellamy’s squad frustrated at the interval, despite dominating territory and tempo without producing a breakthrough.

Second-half lift brings vital goal

After the restart, Wales continued to press yet still found clear openings difficult to produce, with Daniel James rattling the post from a crisp volley.

The breakthrough finally arrived around the hour mark through a swift combination down the left involving Neco Williams and Daniel James, ending with Jordan James turning in from close range.

The goal offered relief to the large Welsh support occupying most of the stadium, briefly lifting the mood on an otherwise underwhelming night.

Both James and Captain Ethan Ampadu later received bookings, ensuring they will miss the decisive meeting with North Macedonia in Cardiff.

Bellamy’s ban and late scare

Bellamy viewed the match from the stands due to suspension, leaving assistant Piet Cremers to take charge on the touchline.

Although preparations were adjusted slightly, Wales were still widely expected to ease past a side ranked near the bottom of the global list and without a goal in this qualifying cycle.

Liechtenstein’s resilience mirrored their performance in Cardiff, where they held out for forty minutes before conceding. In Vaduz, their resistance stretched even longer

The hosts even threatened an equalizer in stoppage time when Sandro Wolfinger connected with a late effort, which he sent wide, sparing Wales a damaging setback.

Qualification picture tightens

Wales must now beat North Macedonia at home to secure second place in Group J and claim a home play-off semi-final.

Failure to win would force them into an away semi-final, though their Nations League record guarantees them a spot regardless.

Improvement across all areas will be required if they are to overcome a far stronger opponent on Tuesday, especially without two suspended midfielders.

The noise inside Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis shifted from despair to astonishment within moments of the final whistle. The travelling support celebrated, but this time the reaction came coated with shock and gratitude rather than simple delight.

The visitors had watched their team fall three behind, their prospects of direct qualification appearing to evaporate. Yet news from Copenhagen changed everything. Denmark’s draw with Belarus breathed life into a campaign that had seemed to be slipping away.

A meeting with Denmark at Hampden now decides Scotland’s fate. What looked like a bleak conclusion transformed into a second chance few imagined would arrive. Belarus, ranked far below the Danes, produced the unlikely outcome that kept automatic qualification alive.

Greece provided the stage, but the drama unfolded in two cities at once. While the match in Piraeus spiralled into a chaotic contest, events in Denmark dictated the emotional rhythm of the night for the Scottish contingent.

A wild sequence of goals and reversals

Before the madness took over, Scotland trailed heavily. Denmark was winning, Scotland was being outplayed, and progression looked beyond reach. Then everything changed in a whirlwind.

A Belarus equalizer stunned the group. Moments later, Ben Gannon-Doak struck to reduce the deficit, finally rewarding Scotland’s earlier pressure. Suddenly, the equation shifted. A win at Hampden would still deliver qualification.

Seconds after Gannon-Doak’s goal, Belarus incredibly moved ahead in Copenhagen. The shockwaves had barely settled when Ryan Christie headed in Scotland’s second. The contest erupted into chaos as opportunities flew at both ends and the Tartan Army roared their side forward.

A remarkable save denied Scott McTominay an equalizer. Greece then lost their captain to a red card, piling further momentum behind the Scots. As the match in Athens ended, Scotland waited anxiously for the final update from Denmark. Relief erupted when confirmation arrived: the draw held, setting up a decisive showdown on Tuesday.

Fortune swings back as Scotland’s flaws are exposed

For long stretches, luck seemed to have deserted Scotland entirely. Greece dominated early on, carving through a shaky visiting defense that struggled with the movement and sharpness of Christos Tzolis and youngster Konstantinos Karetsas.

Only Craig Gordon’s excellence prevented an even heavier deficit. Scotland conceded numerous efforts on goal and looked overwhelmed. Their first-half display offered coach Steve Clarke a mountain of issues to resolve ahead of the decisive match.

Belarus’ astonishing result altered everything. A campaign that appeared doomed gained an unexpected reprieve. Clarke admitted Scotland benefited enormously from circumstances elsewhere but also highlighted how the team finished with authority and menace.

He urged his players to show belief from the outset rather than waiting until adversity stings them into action. Scotland’s fate will hinge on whether they can begin Tuesday’s contest with the same intensity they displayed in the closing stages in Greece.