Roberts features as Wales suffer Belgium defeat

Swansea City’s Connor Roberts played the full 90 minutes as Wales kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Belgium in Leuven.

Wing-back Roberts was involved in the build-up to a sensational team goal that gave the visitors an early lead as they opened their efforts to reach next year’s finals in Qatar.

However, goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku sealed the win for a Belgium side coached by former Swans boss Roberto Martinez.

Swansea defender Ben Cabango, who recently signed a new contract through to 2025, was an unused substitute for Rob Page’s side.

Wales are next in action against Mexico in a friendly on Saturday.

Ryan Manning was not involved as the Republic of Ireland fell to a 3-2 defeat in Serbia, while Conor Hourihane has remained in Swansea to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up against Cardiff.