{"id":496393,"date":"2025-10-13T14:55:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T14:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/496393\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T14:55:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T14:55:14","slug":"wrexhams-james-mcclean-could-provide-inspiration-to-belgium-ahead-of-their-clash-with-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/496393\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrexham’s James McClean could provide inspiration to Belgium ahead of their clash with Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

James McClean appears to be loving life in Wales with Wrexham, and he may even be cheering them on as a pair of his current teammates feature for the national team against Belgium.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This will not have always been the case, particularly when the experienced winger was representing Ireland from 2012 until 2023.<\/p>\n

Wales and Ireland will have faced each other on seven occasions during this period in friendlies, World Cup qualifiers and Nations League games.<\/p>\n

\"JamesPhoto by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

His nation only got the better of Wales on one occasion, but it was the one fixture that may inspire the Red Devils, with the Belgian players potentially embracing their inner James McClean to secure victory.<\/p>\n

James McClean\u2019s winner for Ireland was the only defeat Wales suffered in their last 14 home World Cup qualifiers<\/p>\n

James McClean<\/a> and Ireland ended any hopes of Wales qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with this 1-0 victory for the Boys in Green.<\/p>\n

It was a perfect away performance against the odds as Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s side defended impressively before the Wrexham<\/a> captain took their one chance to secure victory.<\/p>\n

Belgium may look to harness the spirit from this performance from eight years ago, as it is tough to secure a victory in Wales in World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea| 6 years ago today, James McClean did this in Wales and sent us into a frenzy <\/p>\n

What a special night in Cardiff <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc9apic.twitter.com\/RaPD2MZRGl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 IrishPropaganda\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea\u26bd\ufe0f (@IrishPropaganda) October 9, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Wales have lost one of their last 14 home World Cup qualifying matches, winning nine and drawing four, losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n

The Irish would go on to reach the play-offs for the World Cup but would be beaten by Denmark quite comfortably over two legs, while Wales finished third, two points behind Ireland in their group, missing out on the competition.<\/p>\n

Stats indicate the result of the Wales and Belgium clash<\/p>\n

Craig Bellamy has selected two Wrexham stars<\/a> for the international break with the manager hopeful they could have a positive impact against the Red Devils, particularly Kieffer Moore who can end Belgium\u2019s hopes of a clean sheet record<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wales will enter the game with some confidence, knowing that they have won their last four home World Cup qualifiers, but they have never won five in a row, so Craig Bellamy will be looking to bring that stat to an end.<\/p>\n

\"KiefferPhoto by Ian Cook \u2013 CameraSport via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Belgium have lost none of their last 16 away World Cup qualifiers, scoring 43 times across those 16 unbeaten games.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils have also won six of their nine World Cup qualifying matches against Wales; their only defeat came in March 1993, losing 2-0 at Cardiff Arms Park.<\/p>\n

Stats may point to a Belgian victory in this fixture; however, Bellamy has been building his side to defy the odds, and if they can do that, they will be in prime position to qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n