Wales belief grows with point in Belgium

• Nicolas Lombaerts hits the post as Belgium threaten in first half
• Thibaut Courtois beats away two Gareth Bale free-kicks
• Bale clears off the line in the final seconds
• Wales have eight points in Group B, three more than Belgium
• Next games: Belgium v Cyprus, Israel v Wales (28 March)

Wales remain in a strong position on the road to UEFA EURO 2016 after holding Belgium to a 0-0 draw at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

After a fairly even opening, the hosts subjected Wales to some sustained pressure and came close on several occasions, with Nicolas Lombaerts rattling the post in the 26th minute. Gareth Bale was predictably the danger man for Chris Coleman's side, yet despite two free-kick attempts and a trademark slaloming run and shot, he could not prise open the Belgian defence.

Bale tested Thibaut Courtois early on with a viciously dipping set piece that the Chelsea FC goalkeeper did well punch away at full stretch. It proved to be the visiting side's best chance of the half, however, as the Red Devils gradually took control, inspired in large part by the pace and drive of Eden Hazard.

Divock Origi played his part as well with a sublime flick to Nacer Chadli, though Wayne Hennessey raced from his line to block the ensuing shot with his legs. Lombaerts came even closer moments later, smacking a superb rising drive against the inside of Hennessey's right-hand post. Origi poked the rebound centimetres wide.

Lombaerts again found himself in a good position shortly after the break, only to head over, before the visitors threatened again through Bale. The Real Madrid CF man suddenly sprung through the Belgian rearguard on the right to shoot low, hard and – unfortunately for him – marginally wide.

Determined to prise open their opponents, the hosts introduced Christian Benteke and Dries Mertens, and the Aston Villa FC forward almost did just that six minutes into added time when his header was cleared off the line by Bale. Wales, though, held on to increase their qualification hopes still further.