5 Belgium players who underperformed against Wales | 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

#3 Axel Witsel

Belgium v France – UEFA Nations League 2021 Semi-final

Belgium international Axel Witsel is one of the most versatile midfielders in the world. The Borussia Dortmund man sits in the middle of the park and contributes equally in attack and defense.

On Tuesday night, however, he looked out of sorts and was rather ordinary on both fronts.

Thanks to Wales’ spirited display, Belgian midfielders were finding it difficult to play their natural game. Kevin De Bruyne was brilliant as usual, but Axel Witsel could not find his footing in the game.

His passing was impressive, but the 32-year-old could not push forward as regularly as he likes to.

Witsel only had a couple of shots against Wales on Tuesday night. Only one forced the Welsh keeper to intervene. Witsel was also fouled a couple of times, which led to him being a bit more subdued than usual.

---

#2 Divock Origi

Wales v Belgium - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

With Romelu Lukaku ruled out, Liverpool’s Divock Origi got the opportunity to lead the Belgian attack. However, with Wales keeping tight at the back, the Belgian forward could not do anything of note.

The attacker tried to drop deep to fetch the ball from midfield, but that did not work out in his favor. He tried to hit the back of the net a couple of times, but could only work the keeper once.

Origi also lost possession a few times, which allowed Wales to hit Belgium on the break.

Origi picked up a foot injury just before the hour mark and was ultimately subbed off in favor of Dante Vanzeir by Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.

---

#1 Arthur Theate

Bologna FC v SS Lazio - Serie A

Having already guaranteed their World Cup participation, Belgium could afford to shuffle the pack and bring a couple of fringe players into the fold. Arthur Theate was one of those experimental deployments.

The 21-year-old is generally a sure-footed defender but did not manage to bring that particular trait to the fore in his senior team debut.

The Bologna man played out from the back with confidence in the opening session of the game. Tragedy befell just past the half-hour mark, leaving the defender with a bitter aftertaste.

During a Wales attack, Theate had the opportunity to clear the ball from his area with a swift kick. He did dispatch a swinging kick, but failed to make contact with the ball.

Wales man Kieffer Moore sniffed out the opportunity and pounced right away to pull his side back level.

Theate performed well in the second half of the match but the first-half error turned out to be irredeemable.