Rudi Garcia's side trailed to Joe Rodon's early opener at the Cardiff City Stadium. But De Bruyne levelled from the penalty spot and Thomas Meunier fired Belgium ahead before half-time.

De Bruyne converted another penalty in the closing stages before Nathan Broadhead got one back for the hosts. Leandro Trossard extinguished Wales' hopes of a dramatic finish as Belgium moved to the top of Group J.

Belgium are one point clear of second-placed North Macedonia, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Kazakhstan on Monday. They will be guaranteed to qualify if they win either of their remaining games against Kazakhstan or Liechtenstein in November.

The Red Devils haven't lost a qualifier for the World Cup or European Championship in 46 games since Gareth Bale sealed Wales' shock victory against them in 2015.

Wales sit in third place after squandering a chance to move a step closer to next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Craig Bellamy's team are four points behind Belgium, with both sides having two games to play, while North Macedonia have one match remaining. Belgium were held 0-0 at home by North Macedonia on Friday, a result that had put Wales' World Cup destiny in their own hands.

Wales knew three wins from their last three matches would clinch a World Cup place. But now they face a potential play-off route if they cannot overhaul Belgium, with a trip to Liechtenstein before a home game against North Macedonia.

"We knew we needed to win. We had momentum, but the penalty gave them a lift and even the crowd died down," Bellamy said. "I have no complaints about the second penalty. But the first... what are we supposed to do with our hands? This is not sour grapes.

"We didn't deserve it at that time. We had to reac,t but they reacted better in that period. It's no consolation, but let's get the next six points."

Wales were beaten 4-3 by Belgium in Brussels in June, with De Bruyne bagging the late winner. Once again, the Napoli midfielder proved to be their nemesis.

Nerveless De Bruyne

Wales' blistering start reaped a deserved reward in the eighth minute when Leeds defender Rodon exploited Belgium's woeful marking as he rose to head home from Sorba Thomas's corner.

But against the run of play, Belgium were handed a lifeline in the 18th minute. Charles De Ketelaere's long-range shot hit Ethan Ampadu's arm in the area.

Ampadu hardly extended his arm away from his body, but Daniel Siebert awarded the penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor and De Bruyne calmly stepped up to send Karl Darlow the wrong way from the spot.

If the visitors' first goal was controversial, there was no debating the merits of their second in the 24th minute. Thomas was caught napping as the irrepressible Jeremy Doku galloped into acres of space on the right flank to whip a low cross into the Wales area.

Meunier timed his run perfectly to guide a clinical finish past Darlow from an acute angle. Bellamy had made a bold decision by dropping Brennan Johnson after his recent struggles, but, in need of inspiration after Belgium seized the momentum, he sent on the Tottenham winger in the 58th minute.

However, Johnson's most notable contribution was to usher away a rat after it ran onto the pitch to briefly halt play. As the rat left Wales' sinking ship, Bellamy's men were finished off in the 76th minute.

Jordan James needlessly handled Trossard's flick in the area and the nerveless De Bruyne again slotted home from the spot.

Broadhead's 89th-minute finish from the edge of the area, after Kieffer Moore robbed Trossard, looked like setting up a tense finale. But Trossard made amends seconds later as the Arsenal forward drilled home from Timothy Castagne's cross.

N. Broadhead

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